Dual role of O-glycosylation in physiological protection and pathological mediation of the eye
10.3980/j.issn.1672-5123.2026.5.19
- VernacularTitle:O-糖基化在眼部的生理保护与病理介导双重作用
- Author:
Yue HE
1
;
GERILETU
1
Author Information
1. Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010020, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Hohhot 010017, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
O-glycosylation;
ocular physiological protection;
ocular pathological mediation;
targeted therapy
- From:
International Eye Science
2026;26(5):844-850
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The eye serves critical visual functions. However, the occurrence of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration leads to visual impairment. O-glycosylation, as an important mode of protein modification, affects the structure, stability, and function of various ocular proteins. Recent studies have found that O-glycosylation has a dual role in the eye. On one hand, its normal presence maintains ocular surface barrier function and retinal photoreceptor survival. On the other hand, aberrant O-glycosylation mediates the pathological processes of ocular diseases through activating signaling pathways and regulating gene expression. Moreover, the crosstalk between O-glycosylation and phosphorylation contributes to the complex molecular mechanisms underlying these pathologies. This review summarizes the physiological protection and pathological mechanisms of three types of O-glycosylation in the eye, and explores the therapeutic prospects for ocular diseases. It further envisions future integration with emerging technologies such as nanodelivery to provide targeted therapeutic strategies, facilitating the transition from theory to practice.
