Programmed cell death in the retina. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Abstract

The cellular suicide program (apoptosis) is important not only for many physiological processes spanning from embryonal development to aging but also for the pathogenesis and the course of a wide spectrum of diseases. Among these disorders are chronic neuroclegenerative diseases including acquired and inherited degeneration of photoreceptors as well as retinal ganglion cells during retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, optic neuritis, or glaucoma. In the following review we will address general pro- and antiapoptotic signal transcluction cascades, their relevance for retinal degeneration focussing on retinal ganglion cells, and new therapeutic strategies evolving from these findings.