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Autophagy: A Novel Pharmacological Target in Diabetic Retinopathy

Annagrazia Adornetto1, Carlo Gesualdo2, Maria Luisa Laganà1

  • 1Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|July 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases like diabetic retinopathy (DR). Targeting this cellular recycling process may offer new therapeutic strategies for DR, a leading cause of blindness.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Autophagy is a key cellular process for degrading damaged components.
  • Dysfunctional autophagy is linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves retinal neurodegeneration and inflammation beyond microvascular damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of autophagy in experimental models of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  • To explore autophagy as a potential therapeutic target for DR.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental models of DR.
  • Analysis of studies investigating autophagy in the context of DR pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests autophagy plays a significant role in DR.
  • Autophagy modulation impacts retinal neurodegeneration in DR models.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy is implicated in the neurodegenerative aspects of DR.
  • Targeting autophagy presents a promising avenue for novel DR therapies.
Keywords:
LC3autophagosomesautophagydiabetic retinopathyhyperglycemiaretinal degeneration

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