Maria Dolores Pinazo Duran
University of Valencia, Spain
Title: Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases
Biography
Biography: Maria Dolores Pinazo Duran
Abstract
Mitochondria control pivotal functions in the cells and tissues, among them the cell cycle, apoptosis, iron/sulfur cluster assembly, generation of reactive oxygen species, calcium homeostasis and biosynthesis of many cellular metabolites. Therefore, mitochondrial changes may induce a wide range of pathological situations such as loss of membrane potential, increase in reactive oxygen species, elevations in oxidized proteins, loss of mitochondrial DNA and/or programmed cell death, all these potentially leading to senescence-associated manifestations. A failure to properly control mitochondrial activity may subsequently convert an essential physiologic process such as the oxidative phosphorylation into a dangerous pathologic disorder regarding the eyes and vision. There is growing knowledge on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species in ocular diseases, including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. With the scientific evidence reviewed herein, it can be reached most accurate viewpoint as to how the oxidative stress and mitochondrial failure can interplay to build a solid pathogenic theory in glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.