Visual Deficits and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Bridging Science and Patient-Centered Care.
Kiyoharu Joshua MiyagishimaFengyu QiaoSteven F StasheffFrancisco M Nadal-NicolásPublished in: Vision (Basel, Switzerland) (2024)
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder primarily affecting children and adolescents characterized by multisystemic clinical manifestations. Mutations in neurofibromin, the protein encoded by the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, result in dysregulation of the RAS/MAPK pathway leading to uncontrolled cell growth and migration. Neurofibromin is highly expressed in several cell lineages including melanocytes, glial cells, neurons, and Schwann cells. Individuals with NF1 possess a genetic predisposition to central nervous system neoplasms, particularly gliomas affecting the visual pathway, known as optic pathway gliomas (OPGs). While OPGs are typically asymptomatic and benign, they can induce visual impairment in some patients. This review provides insight into the spectrum and visual outcomes of NF1, current diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions, and explores the influence of NF1-OPGS on visual abnormalities. We focus on recent advancements in preclinical animal models to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of NF1 pathology and therapies targeting NF1-OPGs. Overall, our review highlights the involvement of retinal ganglion cell dysfunction and degeneration in NF1 disease, and the need for further research to transform scientific laboratory discoveries to improved patient outcomes.
Keyphrases
- signaling pathway
- lps induced
- pi k akt
- induced apoptosis
- oxidative stress
- nuclear factor
- cell cycle arrest
- healthcare
- cell therapy
- inflammatory response
- traumatic brain injury
- palliative care
- toll like receptor
- physical activity
- mesenchymal stem cells
- genome wide
- spinal cord
- adipose tissue
- newly diagnosed
- cell proliferation
- dna methylation
- metabolic syndrome
- small molecule
- chronic kidney disease
- stem cells
- prognostic factors
- patient reported outcomes
- drug delivery
- amino acid
- health insurance
- genome wide identification