The role of PPAR in fungal keratitis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Fungal keratitis (FK) presents treatment challenges due to delayed diagnosis and limited antifungal efficacy.
• Fungal infections trigger corneal immune responses, oxidative stress, and tissue damage via inflammatory mediators.
• Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors involved in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential therapeutic roles of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in treating fungal keratitis (FK).
• To investigate how PPARs, particularly PPARγ, may mitigate immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress damage in FK.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on fungal keratitis pathogenesis and immune responses.
• Analysis of the known functions of PPAR subtypes (PPARα, PPARβ/δ, PPARγ) in ocular tissues and inflammatory processes.
• Exploration of PPAR-mediated mechanisms, including macrophage polarization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation.

Main Results:

• PPARs exhibit significant roles in antioxidant responses, inflammation control, and immune regulation.
• PPARγ activation can promote beneficial macrophage polarization and reduce oxidative stress by controlling ROS production.
• Previous studies show PPARα agonists have therapeutic potential in conditions like diabetic keratopathy, corneal neuropathy, and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• PPARs represent a promising therapeutic target for managing fungal keratitis.
• Modulating PPAR activity could offer a novel strategy to combat the immune-inflammatory and oxidative damage characteristic of FK.
• Further research into PPAR agonists may lead to improved treatment outcomes for fungal keratitis.