Current Eye Research最新文献

{"title":"Current Experimental Methods for Restoration of the Tear Film.","authors":"Arun Kumar Raut, Stefan Schrader, Sonja Mertsch","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2695775","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2695775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear film disorders, particularly dry eye disease (DED), are among the most common ocular surface conditions and arise from dysfunction of the lacrimal functional unit, including the lacrimal gland, meibomian glands, and conjunctival goblet cells.Despite the recent advancements in the management of the tear film disorders, the treatment still remains palliative. Hence there is a need for research focusing on regenerative approaches to restore the physiological functions and homeostasis of the tear film.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A selective literature review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline. The review is based on 127 relevant publications published up to January 2026, with emphasis on experimental and translational approaches for restoring tear film homeostasis. In addition, the latest advances in lacrimal gland regeneration are described, including recent studies conducted by our research group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This review aims to first give an overview about the underlying diseases which alters the tear film composition, secondly highlighting the current treatment methods and their limitation and finally analyze recent experimental strategies that promotes tear film regeneration including stem cell-based therapies, tissue engineering of the lacrimal gland, neurotrophic factor supplementation, gene therapy, and biomaterial-assisted delivery systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Regenerative approaches for tear film disorders are evolving from symptomatic management toward restoration of functional tissue. Although most strategies remain in preclinical or early translational stages, advances in stem cell biology, biomaterials, secretome research, and tissue engineering provide a promising foundation for future therapies targeting the lacrimal functional unit and long-term tear film homeostasis. By summarizing current findings and identifying research gaps, this review can highlight promising approaches for translational research and potential clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1141-1156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148374860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lifting the Lid on Tear Film Dynamics: Tear Film Movement Upon Vertical Gaze Change.","authors":"Timon Ax, Francesc March de Ribot, Fabian N Fries, Tomas L Bothe, Slade O Jensen, Thomas J Millar, Berthold Seitz","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2592226","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2592226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>When examining the ocular surface, patients are required to look straight ahead and the effects of vertical eye movement on tear film behavior are not considered despite it being natural and common to change gaze without blinking. This exposes parts of the bulbar conjunctiva previously covered by the eyelids and therefore not covered by the tear film during the preceding blink. This study investigates how the tear film behaves when presented with newly exposed areas of ocular surface due to vertical eye movements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tear film dynamics of a sequence of vertical open-eye gaze maneuvers (upgaze-downgaze) were studied in 15 participants with no ocular surface related complaints (OSDI <13) using the TearView infrared camera system. TearView detects the tear film based on natural infrared radiation emitted from the ocular surface. Interferometry was used to examine lipid layer behavior. In a subgroup (<i>n</i> = 3), eyelids were mechanically lifted using a finger to reveal bulbar conjunctiva.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vertical eye movements exposed bulbar conjunctiva not covered by the tear film during the preceding blink. The fully formed tear film reacted by spreading toward the newly uncovered ocular surface area, thereby recoating it. This also occurred when the eyelids were mechanically lifted to reveal ocular surface previously beneath the eyelids. No apparent flow occurred from the menisci onto the ocular surface.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The fully formed tear film is isolated from the meniscal tear and meibum reservoirs (a completely perched tear film). This tear film spontaneously spreads to cover ocular surface area that is newly exposed during vertical eye movements.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1157-1165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microscopy and Spectroscopy Techniques for Tear Fluid Diagnostics.","authors":"Adriána Rašiová, Vladimíra Tomečková, Marlies Gijs","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2627373","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2627373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear fluid represents a minimally invasive and accessible source for biomarker discovery in both ocular and systemic diseases. This mini review aims to summarize and critically evaluate current microscopy and spectroscopy techniques applied to tear fluid analysis and their relevance for disease detection and monitoring.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A focused review was conducted on advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques used in tear fluid research. The methodologies discussed include atomic force microscopy, polarized light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and fluorescence techniques. These approaches were examined for their ability to characterize tear fluid morphology, molecular composition, and biochemical alterations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The reviewed techniques enable high-resolution morphological imaging, detailed protein secondary structure analysis, and sensitive detection of lipid and glycoprotein alterations in tear fluid. Multiple studies have demonstrated disease-specific changes detectable by these methods in conditions such as dry eye disease, keratoconus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and depressive disorder. The findings highlight the versatility and diagnostic potential of microscopy and spectroscopy in identifying subtle biochemical and structural changes associated with disease states.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Microscopy and spectroscopy techniques offer powerful tools for advancing tear fluid diagnostics. However, challenges remain in standardizing sampling protocols and analysis methods. These are key for ensuring reproducibility and clinical applicability. Addressing these challenges will be important to unlock the full diagnostic potential of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques for tear fluid analysis in medical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1186-1198"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146200485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent Developments in Tear Fluid Biomarkers: An Expert Perspective on Clinical Translation.","authors":"Marlies Gijs, Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca, Suzanne Hagan, Andrzej Grzybowski, Piera Versura","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2660819","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2660819","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear fluid biomarker research is rapidly growing in both ocular and non-ocular diseases, with biomarker-based tests gradually transitioning into clinical applications. As this progress continues, translation into routine practice remains limited. This perspective aims to summarize key advances with direct clinical relevance and identify the major barriers that must be overcome for widespread adoption.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This perspective is based on the authors' multidisciplinary expertise combined with a focused review of the current literature on tear fluid biomarkers and point-of-care applications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Several substances identified in tear fluid have been considered as potential biomarkers. As a result, specific point-of-care tests have reached the market, with several more close to clinical development. While these tests offer objective and quantifiable values, significant challenges persist, including suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, lack of standardized collection and analysis protocols, absence of validated reference ranges and diagnostic thresholds, regulatory and reimbursement barriers, and limited clinical awareness. Importantly, most current applications remain focused on diagnosis, while unmet clinical needs such as prognostication, therapy guidance, and longitudinal monitoring remain underexplored.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To achieve meaningful clinical integration, research must progress from discovery to standardization, validation, and alignment with real-world needs. Addressing these challenges is essential to incorporate the analysis of tear fluid biomarkers into routine care and advance precision diagnostics and personalized therapy in ophthalmology and related fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1228-1236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147959962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Moumi Maity, Marlies Gijs, Reiko Arita, Sayan Basu, Swati Singh","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2629429","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2629429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The current meta-analysis reviewed the dry eye symptomatology and tear film differences between PCOS and healthy women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for prospective/cross-sectional studies on patients with PCOS where at least one tear film parameter or dry eye symptomatology had been tested and compared with healthy controls. The analyzed data were changes in ocular surface disease index scores (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer values, and Meibography. RevMan software was used for meta-analysis, and weighted mean differences (MD) were computed along with GRADE evidence level determination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen articles were included, and PCOS (<i>n</i> = 639) was diagnosed using the Amsterdam (<i>n</i> = 2) or Rotterdam (<i>n</i> = 11) criteria. Studies were heterogeneous (I² > 75%) for all analyzed parameters. OSDI (MD 7.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 13.6, <i>p</i> = 0.02) and invasive TBUT (MD -3.1s, 95% CI -4.7 to -1.6, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) were worse in PCOS whereas Schirmer I (MD -1.8, 95% CI -4.5 to 0.5, <i>p</i> = 0.12) and noninvasive TBUT (MD -2.1, 95% CI -4.2 to -0.03, <i>p</i> = 0.05) were similar between PCOS and healthy controls. Forest plots revealed an overall MD estimate of all parameters to lie close to the null effect line. All studies had a low level of certainty regarding evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Women with PCOS can experience mild dry eye symptoms; however, tear volume and tear film stability are similar in women with PCOS and those without the condition. In most studies, tear film parameters of PCOS women do not meet DEWS II criteria for DED diagnosis, though they are heterogeneous and have low levels of certainty.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1245-1252"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146225773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Schirmer Strips in Tear Metabolomics of Dry Eye Disease: Pre-analytical and Analytical Considerations.","authors":"Mazyar Yazdani, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, Tor Paaske Utheim","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2596213","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2596213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular surface condition characterized by tear film instability and inflammation, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. While the Schirmer test remains a key diagnostic tool, Schirmer strips are increasingly used for tear fluid collection in metabolomics studies aimed at, e.g. identifying biomarkers for DED. However, both pre-analytical and analytical variables inherent to Schirmer strip use can compromise data integrity and hamper reproducibility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this review, the PubMed database and Google Scholar were searched for published human studies in English relevant to pre-analytical and analytical aspects of tear metabolomics, especially from dry eye patients, when tear samples were collected with Schirmer strips.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This article discusses the critical pre-analytical factors, including variability in Schirmer strip materials, tear sampling techniques, storage conditions, and potential contamination, that influence metabolomic data quality. Analytical considerations are also examined, with particular focus on volume-adjusted extraction protocols that address tear volume variability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We conclude that standardized guidelines for Schirmer strip use, covering material selection, sampling protocols, storage, and extraction, are urgently needed to advance tear metabolomics as a reliable clinical and research tool. Future research should focus on validating these recommendations in multi-center studies, exploring inter-individual variability, and developing innovative analytical workflows to optimize metabolite recovery and quantification. Such efforts will enhance the translational potential of tear metabolomics, paving the way for biomarker discovery and improved management of DED.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1166-1173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145667399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Evaluation of TeaRx^™: A Point of Care Multi-Parameter Tear Film Test for Diagnosis, Stratification, and Prediction of Responsiveness to Cyclosporine A Therapy in Dry Eye Disease.","authors":"Sayan Basu, Shimon Gross, Amos Sommer, Avital Beck","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2678293","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2678293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate TeaRx^™, a 10-minute, multi-parametric tear test, as a single point-of-care diagnostic device for assessment of dry eye disease (DED), stratifying severity, identifying severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and predicting patient response to topical cyclosporine A (CysA) therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single center, observational, longitudinal clinical study enrolled 593 participants graded by TFOS DEWS II criteria: 495 DED (including 83 with severe MGD), and 98 healthy controls. Tear fluid was collected using a microfluidic tear collection device and analyzed for five biomarkers (lactoferrin, human serum albumin, lysozyme, mucin and IgA) by lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA). Optimal logistic regression models were selected for differentiating DED vs. healthy, severe vs. non-severe DED, severe MGD vs. non-MGD in DED patients, and prediction (at baseline) of CysA responsiveness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Based on the models selected, TeaRx^™ differentiated DED (at all severity levels) from healthy controls with 71.5% sensitivity, 63.1% specificity, and AUC = 0.72. Severe DED was differentiated from non-severe DED with 80.6% sensitivity, 66.7% specificity, AUC = 0.77. Severe MGD within DED was identified with 80.6% sensitivity, 61.3% specificity, AUC = 0.80. TeaRx^™ predicted CysA responsiveness with 93.8% sensitivity, 63.1% specificity, AUC = 0.86, and NPV = 92.3%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Based on the results of the current study, TeaRx^™ may potentially offer the means for rapid, noninvasive tear biomarker profiling within 10 minutes, providing accurate diagnosis of DED, severity stratification, detection of severe MGD, and prediction of therapeutic response to CysA. These results support its role as a personalized diagnostic platform for optimizing management of DED.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1237-1244"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148041415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tear Film Lipid Layer Thickness: Measurement Techniques, Normative Values and Alteration in Ocular Surface Diseases.","authors":"Sandhya Esam, Swati Singh, Nagaraju Konda, Rashmin Gandhi, Geeta K Vemuganti","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2458735","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2458735","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear film instability is one of the principal pathomechanisms of dry eye disease (DED), arising from disrupted tear homeostasis, reduced tear volume, or lipid layer alterations. The lipid layer, secreted by the meibomian glands, can be imaged qualitatively and quantitatively. This review summarizes different lipid layer thickness (LLT) measurement techniques, normative values, and alterations in ocular surface disorders.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Full-texts of 88 of 236 searched articles from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the terms 'Tear film lipid layer thickness,' 'Lipid layer thickness', 'Tear film lipids,' 'Dry eye disease,' 'Meibomian gland dysfunction,' 'Meibography,' and 'Interferometry' were reviewed.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Advanced imaging techniques, such as LipiView, Oculus Keratograph 5M, and Tearscope, utilize interference principles, but are not interchangeable for measuring LLT. LLT ranges from 13 to 170 nm in healthy individuals, depending on the instrument and grading scale used. The reported central LLT values in DED vary from 33 to 84 nm, varying with disease severity. There are conflicting reports on the association between age, gender, and LLT values. LLT positively correlates with expressible meibomian glands, and negatively with gland loss. LLT has been associated with tear film breakup time, MGD severity, and blink pattern irregularities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The significant overlap in LLT values between the normal individuals and DED patients precludes its role in the diagnosis of DED. Future studies exploring LLT variations under different environmental conditions and across larger cohorts with varying DED severity are essential to enhance clinical applicability.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1199-1213"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corneal Sensitivity, Sub-Basal Corneal Nerve Plexus, and Tear Neuropeptides in Symptomatic Versus Asymptomatic Visual Display Terminal Users.","authors":"Moumi Maity, Mohammad Gufran Siddiqui, Vivek Singh, Sayan Basu, Swati Singh","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2691748","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2691748","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The current study evaluated the structure and function of corneal nerves in symptomatic versus asymptomatic visual display terminal (VDT) users, along with tear neuropeptides.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional, single-masked study divided VDT users into symptomatic (<i>n</i> = 51; ocular surface disease index (OSDI) > 13, tear osmolarity, noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) < 10 s, and positive corneal staining) and asymptomatic groups (<i>n</i> = 21, OSDI ≤ 13, NIBUT > 10 s). Participants underwent detailed tear film examination (Oculus keratograph 5M), blink rate, corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer), and <i>in vivo</i> confocal microscopy (IVCM, HRT II-RCM) testing. ELISA of tear cytokines (IL1a, TNFa, IL6, MMP 9) and neuropeptides (CGRP, NPFF, VIP, Sub P, NGF) were compared between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Symptomatic VDT users had more years of VDT use (<i>P</i> = 0.0002), reduced corneal sensitivity (<i>P</i> = 0.02), lower Schirmer I (<i>P</i> < 0.0001), lower blink rate (<i>P</i> < 0.0001), and more partial glands (<i>P</i> < 0.001) than asymptomatic users. The daily hours of VDT use (6.4 vs. 6.2), tear osmolarity, immature and mature dendritic cell densities, and IVCM parameters were similar across the two groups. A weak negative correlation of corneal sensitivity was noted with OSDI (<i>P</i> = 0.03) and blink rate (<i>P</i> = 0.037). Mature dendritic cell density had a positive correlation (<i>P</i> = 0.009) with corneal sensitivity. Symptomatic users showed reduced NGF and elevated MMP-9 and IL-1α compared to asymptomatic VDT users.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Symptomatic VDT users have reduced mechanical corneal sensitivity without morphological changes in the sub-basal corneal nerve structure. Reduced NGF and elevated tear IL1a and MMP-9 in symptomatic VDT users indicate ocular surface inflammation in VDT-associated dry eye disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1253-1259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SRC Promotes High Glucose-Induced Retinal Endothelial Dysfunction by Suppressing FUNDC1-Mediated Mitophagy in Diabetic Retinopathy.","authors":"Songling Du, Zhenyu Yao","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2727289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2026.2727289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness, yet the role of mitophagy in its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to dissect mitophagy heterogeneity in DR at single-cell resolution and identify key regulators.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Bulk RNA-seq datasets were first used to screen mitophagy-related genes associated with DR, followed by single-cell RNA-seq analysis to define cell-type-specific mitophagy alterations. Mitophagy activity was scored by four methods (AddModuleScore, AUCell, ssGSEA, and PercentageFeatureSet). Cell communication and pseudotime trajectories were inferred with CellChat and Monocle3. The function of SRC in high glucose-induced human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) was validated by RT-qPCR, Western blot, CCK-8, Transwell, and transmission electron microscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Endothelial cells exhibited the highest mitophagy activity in DR. Immature endothelial cells showed the highest mitophagy scores and occupied a key transition state in differentiation trajectory. SRC was consistently upregulated in DR and its knockdown restored mitophagy by promoting FUNDC1-LC3 interaction, thereby suppressing high glucose-induced proliferation and migration of HRECs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reveals cell-specific mitophagy dysregulation in DR and identifies SRC as a critical regulator of FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy. Targeting SRC may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for DR.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149073766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}