Unraveling lipid pathways and druggable targets in retinal degeneration

The field of retinal degenerative diseases has seen a paradigm shift with the growing recognition of lipid dysregulation as a central contributor to disease pathogenesis. Disorders such as Stargardt’s disease, age related macular degeneration, rod cone dystrophies, retinitis pigmentosa, and Sorsby fundus dystrophy have all been linked to abnormal lipid deposition or metabolism, underscoring the importance of lipids in retinal health. Recent advances in lipidomics and molecular biology have shed light on the cellular mechanisms underlying lipid accumulation and degeneration, revealing new layers of complexity in how different retinal cell types are affected.This Research Topic aims to synthesize current knowledge on the role of lipids in retinal degenerative diseases and to uncover new therapeutic avenues by mapping the lipid related molecular and cellular pathways involved in disease progression. We seek to answer pressing questions about how dysregulated lipid metabolism drives degeneration, the degree of convergence in lipid signaling across diverse retinal diseases, and which lipid handling pathways present as tractable targets for intervention. We welcome contributions from researchers working across lipidomics, functional genomics, and translational and therapeutic research, and are particularly interested in work that connects mechanistic findings to potential clinical application.The scope of this Research Topic is defined by its focus on elucidating the mechanisms and consequences of lipid dysregulation in well characterized retinal degenerative disorders, with a focus on mechanistic, translational, and therapeutic studies across multiple retinal cell populations. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Shared and distinct lipid metabolic pathways across retinal degenerative diseases- Epigenetic regulation of lipid metabolism in retinal cells, including rods, cones, Muller cells, astrocytes, and microglia- Identification and validation of druggable targets within lipid pathways- Translational and therapeutic approaches targeting lipid dysregulation in retinal diseaseWe invite Original Research articles, Reviews, and Mini Reviews. If you are working on a different article type and believe it fits this collection, please reach out to discuss. Topic editors: Daisy Y. Shu, Sonia Guha Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86325/unraveling-lipid-pathways-and-druggable-targets-in-retinal-degeneration