Metabolic pathways in context: mTOR signalling in the retina and optic nerve - A review.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling network plays a key role in growth and development, autophagy, metabolism, inflammation as well as ageing, and it is therefore important in ocular health and disease. mTOR dysregulation has been identified in a range of conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, traumatic optic neuropathy and glaucoma. Experimental modulation of the pathway has contributed to the understanding of these diseases and offers the potential for new avenues of therapy. This review discusses the mTOR pathway and its role in health and in diseases of the retina and optic nerve.