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Exosomes and autophagy in ocular surface and retinal diseases: new insights into pathophysiology and treatment
Shisi Ma1, Xiao Liu1, Jiayang Yin1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
Background:
Ocular surface and retinal diseases are widespread problems that cannot be ignored in today's society. However, existing prevention and treatment still have many shortcomings and limitations, and fail to effectively hinder the occurrence and development of them.
Main Body:
The purpose of this review is to give a detailed description of the potential mechanism of exosomes and autophagy. The eukaryotic endomembrane system refers to a range of membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm that are interconnected structurally and functionally, which regionalize and functionalize the cytoplasm to meet the needs of cells under different conditions. Exosomal biogenesis and autophagy are two important components of this system and are connected by lysosomal pathways. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that contain multiple signaling molecules produced by multivesicular bodies derived from endosomes. Autophagy includes lysosome-dependent degradation and recycling pathways of cells or organelles. Recent studies have revealed that there is a common molecular mechanism between exosomes and autophagy, which have been, respectively, confirmed to involve in ocular surface and retinal diseases.
Conclusion:
The relationship between exosomes and autophagy and is mostly focused on fundus diseases, while a deeper understanding of them will provide new directions for the pathological mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular surface and retinal diseases.
Insights
Exosomes and autophagy are key cellular processes implicated in eye diseases. Understanding their shared mechanisms offers new avenues for diagnosing and treating ocular surface and retinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Mechanisms
Background:
- Ocular surface and retinal diseases represent significant global health challenges.
- Current treatments for these conditions have limitations in effectively preventing or halting disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of exosomes and autophagy.
- To explore the interconnectedness of these processes within the eukaryotic endomembrane system.
- To highlight their roles in ocular surface and retinal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on exosomes and autophagy.
- Analysis of the molecular mechanisms linking exosomes and autophagy.
- Examination of studies demonstrating their involvement in ocular diseases.
Main Results:
- Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular signaling.
- Autophagy is a cellular recycling and degradation pathway.
- A common molecular mechanism connects exosomes and autophagy, both implicated in ocular diseases.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between exosomes and autophagy is crucial for understanding fundus diseases.
- Further research into these mechanisms can lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for a range of eye conditions.
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