Figure 1.

A model for the protective role of AIBP in glaucomatous neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

AIBP controls TLR4-associated lipid rafts, inhibits cholesterol accumulation, regulates mitochondrial network and function, and modulates inflammatory pathways in the retina during glaucomatous neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In glaucoma, reduced AIBP expression may deregulate retinal lipid metabolism, potentially lowering ABCA1 expression and resulting in cholesterol accumulation. Thus, cholesterol accumulation within lipid rafts activates TLR4 signaling, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammasome activation. Created with Microsoft PowerPoint. AAV: Adeno-associated virus; ABCA1: ATP-binding cassette transporter 1; AIBP: apolipoprotein A-I binding protein; MD2: an extracellular molecule; RGC: retinal ganglion cell; TIR: Toll/interleukin-1 receptor; TLR4: toll-like receptor 4.