Role of the AMPK signalling pathway in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular diseases

• Published in: Human & Experimental Toxicology Vol. 41; p. 9603271211063165
• Main Authors: Shukal, Dhaval K, Malaviya, Pooja B, Sharma, Tusha
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2022; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Age; Age related diseases; AMP-activated protein kinase; Autophagy; Cataracts; Cornea; Data search; Diabetes mellitus; Disease; Energy balance; Eye diseases; Eye disorders; Glaucoma; Glucose; Glucose metabolism; Health services; Heat shock; Homeostasis; Hypoxia; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Ischemia; Kinases; Lipid metabolism; Lipids; Macular degeneration; Medical treatment; Modulators; Pathogenesis; Retinoblastoma; Retinopathy; Reviews; Signal transduction; Therapeutic targets; cataract; retinoblastoma; glaucoma; AMPK; diabetic retinopathy; ocular disease; super kinases
• ISSN: 0960-3271; 1477-0903
• DOI: 10.1177/09603271211063165

Background AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a precise role as a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. AMPK is activated in response to the signalling cues that exhaust cellular ATP levels such as hypoxia, ischaemia, glucose depletion and heat shock. As a central regulator of both lipid and glucose metabolism, AMPK is considered to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various diseases, including eye disorders. Objective To review all the shreds of evidence concerning the role of the AMPK signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. Method Scientific data search and review of available information evaluating the influence of AMPK signalling on ocular diseases. Results Review highlights the significance of AMPK signalling in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular diseases, including cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal diseases, etc. The review also provides the information on the AMPK-associated pathways with reference to ocular disease, which includes mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy and regulation of inflammatory response. Conclusion The study concludes the role of AMPK in ocular diseases. There is growing interest in the therapeutic utilization of the AMPK pathway for ocular disease treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of AMPK signalling might represent more pertinent strategy than AMPK activation for ocular disease treatment. Such information will guide the development of more effective AMPK modulators for ocular diseases.