Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic advances
Mol Biomed. 2026 May 28;7(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s43556-026-00480-x. ABSTRACT Mitochondrial dysfunction is a core pathogenic mechanism underlying a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases to inherited optic neuropathies and mitochondrial ataxias. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how defects in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA converge to disrupt oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dynamics, […]
Multi-omics identification and verification of Dnajb14 as a modulator of retinal ganglion cell survival in glaucoma through ferroptosis
J Genet Genomics. 2026 May 26:S1673-8527(26)00185-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2026.05.011. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and necessitates the identification of unreported therapeutic targets. Here, we report eight stable plasma protein targets for glaucoma, identified through a large-scale proteome-wide association study integrated with Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses. Among these […]
The Hidden Culprit in Optic Neuritis: Mitochondrial Complex I Deficiency Due to a Novel NDUFS1 Mutation
J Neuroophthalmol. 2026 May 28. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000002475. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:42201648 | DOI:10.1097/WNO.0000000000002475
Oxidative Stress in Dry Eye Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
Biomolecules. 2026 May 13;16(5):718. doi: 10.3390/biom16050718. ABSTRACT Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the ocular surface, characterized by tear film homeostasis imbalance, with aging being identified as a crucial independent risk factor. Oxidative stress, which refers to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen substances during mitochondrial […]
Prominin-1 and Retinal Degenerative Disorders: Expanding the Biology from Photoreceptors to the Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Biomolecules. 2026 Apr 24;16(5):635. doi: 10.3390/biom16050635. ABSTRACT Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133) has long been recognized as a structural determinant of photoreceptor outer segment (OS) morphogenesis, yet rapidly accumulating evidence extends its role to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) homeostasis, encompassing autophagy-lysosomal flux, outer segment phagocytosis, mitochondrial function, and regulation of inflammatory stress. This review synthesizes mechanistic and transcriptomic […]
Progressive Visual Recovery in a Patient with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Harboring a Rare Heteroplasmic (MT-ND5):m.13042G>A, p(Ala236Thr) Variant with Low Mutant Load: A Case Report
Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2026 Mar 23;17(1):423-432. doi: 10.1159/000551571. eCollection 2026 Jan-Dec. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The majority of Caucasian patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) harbor one of three primary pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants, which are usually present in homoplasmy in leukocytes. Most of the remaining cases have been linked to rare heteroplasmic pathogenic variants, […]
Melphalan and Curcumin Induce Apoptosis in Retinoblastoma Cells Associated with STAT3 Signaling Modulation
Pharmaceutics. 2026 Apr 28;18(5):540. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18050540. ABSTRACT Background/Objectives: Retinoblastoma treatment remains limited by therapeutic resistance and toxicity. While melphalan is a key chemotherapeutic agent, its efficacy is constrained by adverse effects. Curcumin has emerged as a potential adjunct owing to its capacity to regulate oxidative stress and oncogenic signaling pathways, including STAT3. This study aimed […]
Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration in Glaucoma: Systematic Review
Bioengineering (Basel). 2026 Apr 28;13(5):509. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering13050509. ABSTRACT Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration underlies glaucomatous optic neuropathy and remains a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the primary modifiable risk factor, RGC death reflects converging mechanisms including mechanical stress, vascular insufficiency, metabolic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. We conducted a […]
Lishui Xiaozhong Granules Protect Against Diabetic Retinopathy by Activating PINK1/Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy and Suppressing Ferroptosis
J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 May 25:121898. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121898. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes that is closely associated with hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Lishui Xiaozhong granules (LSXZ) are an empirical traditional Chinese medicine used to treat DR. However, its precise molecular targets and underlying mechanisms remain […]
Persistent loss of membrane-associated MUC4 reprograms physiological functions in corneal epithelial cells via MAPK-dependent cascade
Sci Rep. 2026 May 27. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-54944-9. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Mucin-4 (MUC4), a key membrane-associated mucin of the corneal apical glycocalyx, plays an important role in maintaining corneal epithelial homeostasis and wettability. Dysregulation of MUC4 has been associated with barrier dysfunction and ocular surface inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the physiological regulatory […]