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VDAC1 O-GlcNAcylation Promotes mtDNA Release and Activates ZBP1-Dependent Neuroinflammation in Diabetic Retinopathy
Xin Tan1, Lipeng Guan2, Wen Li1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China.
Article Highlights:
The limited efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in diabetic retinopathy (DR) highlights the importance of nonvascular mechanisms in disease progression. Hyperglycemia is a key driver of neuroinflammation in DR. Hyperglycemia results in VDAC1 O-GlcNAcylation in Müller glia, leading to mtDNA release and ZBP1 activation, thereby linking metabolic stress to neuroinflammation in DR. Targeting VDAC1-mediated mtDNA release or using vitreous mtDNA as a biomarker may enable earlier diagnosis and novel therapeutic strategies for DR.

