Mechanisms of astrocyte aging in reactivity and disease
Mol Neurodegener. 2025 Feb 21;20(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s13024-025-00810-7. ABSTRACT Normal aging alters brain functions and phenotypes. However, it is not well understood how astrocytes are impacted by aging, nor how they contribute to neuronal dysfunction and disease risk as organisms age. Here, we examine the transcriptional, cell biology, and functional differences in astrocytes across normal aging. […]
Optineurin-facilitated axonal mitochondria delivery promotes neuroprotection and axon regeneration
Nat Commun. 2025 Feb 20;16(1):1789. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57135-8. ABSTRACT Optineurin (OPTN) mutations are linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG), but a relevant animal model is lacking, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration are unknown. We find that OPTN C-terminus truncation (OPTN∆C) causes late-onset neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), optic nerve […]
Melatonin Alleviates Age-Related Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction Via SIRT-1/NLRP3 Pathway
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2025 Feb 3;66(2):51. doi: 10.1167/iovs.66.2.51. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: As a consequence of the natural aging process, the lacrimal glands may become dysfunctional. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of melatonin (MLT) in the alleviation of age-related lacrimal gland dysfunction and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: In this study, […]
CSF IL-6, GDF-15, GFAP and NfL levels in early Alzheimer disease: a pilot study
Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2025 Feb 19;18:17562864251314773. doi: 10.1177/17562864251314773. eCollection 2025. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Despite their potential usefulness as biomarkers, no study has investigated the interactions between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes of neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), transactive response DNA binding protein (TDP-43) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and […]
Impact of short wavelength light exposure on body weight, mobility, anxiety like behaviour and cytokine expression
Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 18;15(1):5927. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-89081-2. ABSTRACT Mitochondria absorb short wavelengths around 420 nm. This is associated with reduced ATP and restricted mobility. The 420-450 nm range is a significant element of LED lighting and computer monitors. Here we expose freely moving mice to 420-450 nm lighting and show rapidly weight gain within a […]
Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy – current status of idebenone and gene replacement therapies
Med Genet. 2025 Feb 12;37(1):57-63. doi: 10.1515/medgen-2024-2066. eCollection 2025 Apr. ABSTRACT Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common mitochondrial disease, and was the first to be linked to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations. Recently, autosomal recessive forms of LHON were described in addition to the classical mtDNA-associated forms. Clinically, LHON manifests with subacute and […]
Sustained release of a novel non-fibrate PPARα agonist from microparticles for neuroprotection in murine models of age-related macular degeneration
J Control Release. 2025 Feb 15:S0168-3659(25)00150-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.02.037. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Prior research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist fenofibrate on diabetic retinopathy. In the present study, a novel non-fibrate PPARα agonist, A190, was designed with higher potency and selectivity than fenofibrate in PPARα agonism. A190 was […]
Exploring the therapeutic potential of MOTS-c in age-related macular degeneration: from cellular responses to patient-derived cybrids
Hum Cell. 2025 Feb 17;38(2):57. doi: 10.1007/s13577-025-01188-w. ABSTRACT Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the US, is on the rise among the elderly. Uncontrolled mitochondria-derived peptide production from mtDNA disruption and 16S or 12S rRNA damage could worsen AMD. Our previous work has shown that Humanin G possesses cytoprotective […]
Relevance of mitochondrial morphological changes in keratoconus patients undergoing collagen cross-linking and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty
Hum Cell. 2025 Feb 17;38(2):56. doi: 10.1007/s13577-025-01184-0. ABSTRACT Keratoconus (KC) is characterised by corneal stromal thinning and irregular astigmatism, resulting in diminution of vision. Underlying aetiology remains poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests dysregulation of oxidative balance and mitochondrial function in KC corneas. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the morphology of mitochondria in the corneal […]
Activated mTOR Signaling in the RPE Drives EMT, Autophagy, and Metabolic Disruption, Resulting in AMD-Like Pathology in Mice
Aging Cell. 2025 Feb 17:e70018. doi: 10.1111/acel.70018. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2) are crucial for various physiological functions. Although the role of mTORC1 in retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) homeostasis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis is established, the function of mTORC2 remains unclear. We […]