The role of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) in retinal degeneration and vision loss

Abstract

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of stress-induced mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, has been shown to modulate a variety of biological processes associated with neurodegenerative pathology of the retina. In particular, various retinal cell culture and animal models related to glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa indicate that JNK signaling may contribute to disease pathogenesis. This mini-review discusses the impact of JNK signaling in retinal disease, with a focus on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and animal studies, with particular attention to modulation of JNK signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of retinal disease.