Axonal mitophagy in retinal ganglion cells

Abstract

Neurons, exhibiting unique polarized structures, rely primarily on the mitochondrial production of ATP to maintain their hypermetabolic energy requirements. To maintain a normal energy supply, mitochondria are transported to the distal end of the axon. When mitochondria within the axon are critically damaged beyond their compensatory capacity, they are cleared via autophagosomal phagocytosis, and the degradation products are recycled to replenish energy. When the mitochondria are dysfunctional or their transport processes are blocked, axons become susceptible to degeneration triggered by energy depletion, resulting in neurodegenerative diseases. As the final checkpoint for mitochondrial quality control, axonal mitophagy is vital for neuronal growth, development, injury, and regeneration. Furthermore, abnormal axonal mitophagy is crucial in the pathogenesis of optic nerve-related diseases such as glaucoma. We review recent studies on axonal mitophagy and summarize the progress of research on axonal mitophagy in optic nerve-related diseases to provide insights into diseases associated with axonal damage in optic ganglion cells.

Introduction

Neurons primarily depend on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to provide ATP for their energy requirements. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with complex dendrites and significantly longer axonal structures have relatively higher energy requirements. Furthermore, mitochondria are involved in various physiological processes in RGCs, such as maintaining metabolic balance, regulating intracellular calcium levels, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mediating apoptotic signaling [1,2,3]. Hence, preserving mitochondrial quality is critical for sustaining energy balance and ensuring normal physiological functioning in RGCs.

Autophagy is a critical degradative pathway for eukaryotic cells, important for the clearance of aggregated proteins and dysfunctional organelles, and is an essential homeostatic mechanism for neurons [4]. Specifically, mitochondrial autophagy, or mitophagy, is a specialized form of autophagy that targets mitochondria. Mitophagy removes and recycles damaged mitochondria and regulates the biogenesis of new, fully functional ones preserving healthy mitochondrial functions and activities [5]. This process helps to prevent the accumulation of defective mitochondria which can lead to cellular stress and various diseases [6, 7]. Under normal physiological conditions, important macromolecular precursors are produced through mitochondrial autophagy to replenish cells while preventing the accumulation of dead and dysfunctional mitochondria. Due to their polarized structure, mitochondria must be transported in RGCs through long axons and terminals to meet high energy demands and maintain energy homeostasis. The maintenance of axonal mitochondrial quality is primarily accomplished through mitochondrial biosynthesis, fission and fusion, bidirectional transport, and clearance. Mitophagy modulates mitochondrial mass in axons and clears senescent and damaged mitochondria. Autophagosomes in the axons transport engulfed mitochondria to the soma to complete the autophagy process [8, 9]. Ashrafi et al. demonstrated that localized mitophagy in distal axons is mediated by PINK1-Parkin [10]. The process of axonal mitophagy is complex, and its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Various studies have shown that impaired regulation of neuronal mitophagy leads to axonal degeneration and synaptic instability, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, Parkinson disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. Regulation of mitophagy is a potential target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Two crucial genes, Pink1 and Parkin, have been identified in hereditary PD, playing a significant role in maintaining mitochondrial integrity [18], as well as facilitating the process of local mitophagy at the distal axon [10, 19]. Furthermore, diseases associated with axonal damage in RGCs, such as glaucoma, are inextricably linked to axonal mitophagy [20,21,22,23,24]. We review recent studies on axonal mitophagy and summarize the progress of research on axonal mitophagy in optic nerve-related diseases, which are intended to provide insights into diseases associated with axonal damage in RGC.

Mitochondrial biogenesis and transport in RGC axons

In most mammalian species, the axons of RGCs within the retina are unmyelinated. However, they extend centripetally along the lamina cibrosa to the optic nerve head (ONH), where they converge and make a turn at right angles to form the optic nerve; they are myelinated in the retrolaminar region of the ONH, and the morphology is maintained through the rest of the optic nerve [25, 26]. Most mitochondria are located in the axons of RGCs since the axon length is at least three orders of magnitude greater than the soma diameter [26, 27]. A high density of mitochondria is required in the unmyelinated regions of RGC axons, nodes of Ranvier, and synaptic terminals to support the high energy demands of nerve fiber conduction and neurotransmitter release [28,29,30]. Because RGCs possess longer axons compared to other neurons, the distribution and consumption of intracellular energy are not homogeneous [26]. However, the diffusion capacity of ATP in the cytoplasm is limited, therefore, mitochondria biosynthesize, transport, and fission/fusion in RGC axons in order to provide sufficient ATP to supply energy locally to RGC axons [29, 31, 32].

Mitochondrial biosynthesis in axons

Mitochondrial biosynthesis is a subcellular process by which mitochondria are replenished and modified by the continuous input and integration of new proteins and lipids, the replication of mitochondrial DNA, the transcription of mitochondria-encoded genes, and fusion and division according to the needs and bioenergetic load of the cell. The transcriptional coactivator PPARγ coactivator 1 (PGC-1α), as in other eukaryotic cells, is a regulator of neuronal mitochondrial biosynthesis, consequently resulting in the expression of several mitochondrial genes via the activation of nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 (NRF-1 and NRF-2) [33,34,35], including proteins (mitochondrial transcription factor A [TFAM]) required for mitochondrial DNA transcription and replication [36, 37]. Moreover, the promoter regions of nuclear genes encoding the subunits of the five complexes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain are targeted by NRF1 and NRF2 [38]. This leads to an increased assembly of respiratory organs and regulation of the import of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins. Mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription heavily rely on the essential role of TFAM. TFAM plays a critical role by binding to the upstream region of the transcription start site, facilitating DNA folding, and enabling the recruitment of mitochondrial RNA polymerase.

The mitochondrial biosynthesis can be activated through various signaling cascades using the PGC-1α-NRF-1/2-TFAM pathway, where Ca²⁺, AMP/ATP and NAD⁺/NADH ratio are the main triggers. Elevated levels of Ca²⁺ result in the upregulation of PGC-1α and TFAM. [39]. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), a downstream target of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK), regulates the activation and expression of PGC-1α. Ca²⁺ triggers the activation of CaMK, which then phosphorylates p38 MAPK. This phosphorylation event subsequently leads to the activation and expression of PGC-1α, resulting in an enhanced mitochondrial biosynthesis [40]. In addition, CaMK can lead to increased mitochondrial biosynthesis via CREB protein stimulation of PGC-1α [41]. Increased AMP levels caused by physiological stimuli such as exercise and starvation activate AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), which phosphorylates PGC-1α directly [42]. After phosphorylation, PGC-1α is transferred from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, triggering mitochondrial biosynthesis. Phosphorylation of epigenetic factors by AMPK leads to increased expression of PGC-1α and TFAM. The NAD⁺/NADH ratio is a vital indicator of mitochondrial biosynthesis; an increased NAD⁺/NADH ratio activates SIRT1, stimulating mitochondrial biosynthesis via the deacetylation of PGC-1α [42, 43]. It is notable that the mechanism by which deacetylation of PGC-1α stimulates mitochondrial biosynthesis is dependent on Ca²⁺, AMPK, and Sirt1 [44], which implies that all of the major mitochondrial biogenesis stimuli may be interrelated. Furthermore, mitochondrial biosynthesis may be activated by CaMK-CREB, Akt-CREB, PKA-CREB, NO-cGMP, and PPAR-PGC-1α pathways [45,46,47,48,49].

Mitochondrial biosynthesis in neurons occurs predominantly in the soma, with the region around the nucleus generally presumed to be the primary site of mitochondrial production [50]. Mitochondria generated in the soma are transported to dendrites, axons, and other compartments. Notably, the mitochondrial transit speed in neurons is approximately 0.5 μm/s, indicating that newly synthesized mitochondria in the soma may take several days to be transported to the ends of long axons. Additionally, only 10–30% of mitochondria in neuronal axons are motile [51]; therefore, it would be impossible to meet the energy demand to sustain axonal physiological activity if we relied solely on the cytosolic synthesis of mitochondria. Mitochondrial biosynthesis during axonal localization is essential to meet the energy requirements of neuronal axons.

Although the mechanism of mitochondrial synthesis in axons has not been elucidated, studies have revealed localized axonal synthesis [52,53,54]. Nuclear-encoded mitochondrial mRNA is present in neuronal axons, and mRNA encoding the mitochondrial protein is more enriched in axons than in dendrites [55]. In addition, the translation of mitochondrial proteins was observed in the axons. Jung et al.’s bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptome and translatome of mouse optic nerve axon terminals revealed that mitochondrial proteins are highly translated at the axon terminals [56]. The intermediate filament protein, lamin B2, which binds to mitochondria, is locally synthesized in Xenopus laevis RGC axons [57]. The breakdown of lamin B2 leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and RGC axonal degeneration; however, the soma of the RGC remains intact [57]. Mitochondria-driven neuronal activity induces the translation of proteins within the local environment, crucial for the promotion of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Kuzniewska et al. reported that the stimulation of neuronal synaptic activity induces the local synthesis of mitochondrial proteins, which are translocated to the mitochondria and admixed into the respiratory chain protein complexes [58].

Axonal mitochondrial transport

The direction of mitochondrial transport depends on the unique axonal arrangement of the microtubules. In axons, microtubules are evenly spaced, with all positive poles pointing toward the end of the axon and negative poles pointing toward the cell body. The prograde movement of mitochondria in axons refers to the movement of mitochondria towards the positive pole of the microtubule, while retrograde movement refers to the movement of mitochondria towards the negative pole of the microtubule. [59]. Furthermore, in axons, mitochondria are transported by energy-dependent motor proteins (motors), including kinesins and dyneins. Kinesins mediate the prograde movement of microtubules; the kinesin-1 family is a major driver of mitochondrial transport [60]. However, mitochondrial retrograde transport is driven by dynein. Mitochondrial translocation along actin microfilaments may be driven by dynein V [61]. It has been shown that in axons of hippocampal neurons grown in vitro, about 20–30% of the mitochondria are active, moving equally in the prograde and retrograde directions, while 70–80% are quiescent [51]. In vivo, moving axonal mitochondria account for approximately 10% of the total and are more inclined to move in the prograde direction. Using “MIMIR” (for “minimally invasive in vivo imaging of mitochondrial axonal transport in the RGC”), Yuji Takihara et al. reported that mitochondria in the axons of the nerve fiber layer of the RGC in mice were significantly dynamic, as observed with both shorter and longer mitochondrial complexes [62].

Milton and Miro are transport regulatory proteins involved in mitochondrial axoplasmic transport. Miro, an essential protein located in the mitochondrial outer membrane, plays a critical role in various mitochondrial processes, including microtubule-mediated transport within the axoplasm, regulation of mitochondrial dynamics encompassing fusion and fission events, as well as maintenance of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis. Milton is a ligand (protein) that recruits the heavy chain of kinesin-1 protein to the mitochondria for axoplasmic transport. Notably, Milton and Miro connect with the microtubule proteins kinesin and dynein to form a transporter complex for bidirectional mitochondrial axoplasmic transport [59].

The final localization of mitochondria in neurons is regulated by the microenvironment, including features of synaptic activity such as the ADP: ATP ratio, increasing levels of intracellular Ca²⁺ and elevated glucose, and the anchoring function of axon-targeted syntaphilin (SNPH). The ADP: ATP ratio is a crucial signal in regulating mitochondrial transport; mitochondrial velocity increased in regions with high ATP levels and decreased when ATP was depleted. Regions with a high ADP: ATP ratio may reduce kinesin activity through the competitive binding of ADP to motor proteins, causing mitochondria to quiesce at higher ADP levels. Another important signal is the neuronal Ca²⁺ concentration; enhanced synaptic activity elevates intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, consequently resulting in the immobilization of mitochondria in active synaptic regions, where the requirements for energy and Ca²⁺ buffering are high. The distribution of mitochondria at the synapses can affect synaptic transmission and strength. Stable mitochondrial localization at the presynapse maintains a stable release of synaptic vesicles, which leads to a stable amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents [63]. Ca²⁺-dependent quiescence of mitochondrial motility is mediated by Miro, which contains two Ca²⁺-sensitive EF-hand motifs oriented toward the cytoplasmic side of the cell to detect cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ levels [64]. Additionally, there are currently two available mechanisms that explain how Miro regulates the movement of mitochondria in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. As per the “Motor Release Model”, an increase in Ca²⁺ causes Miro to stay connected to Milton and mitochondria but becomes separated from kinesin-1. This separation ultimately hinders the transport of mitochondria (Fig. 1Ai) [65]. On the other hand, based on the “motor-Miro binding model”,  high levels of Ca²⁺ surrounding the mitochondria result in its binding to the Miro EF-hand motif. This binding induces a change in conformation, leading to a direct interaction between kinesin-1 and Miro, which prohibits spatial binding to the mitochondria and microtubules and therefore impedes mitochondrial movement (Fig. 1Aii) [66]. Additionally, glucose is an essential factor affecting mitochondrial localization at synapses. Glucose is metabolized to uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlucNAc), which is used in Milton’s modification via oxygen-linked nitrogen acetylglucosamine (OGT) [67,68,69]. The modified Milton binds to protein four and a half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2) in the same complex, which docks the mitochondria to actin (Fig. 1C). Therefore, the mitochondria remain at a higher glucose concentration to maximize their capacity. Furthermore, SNPH is enriched in resting mitochondria in axons, with SNPH knockout mice exhibiting enhanced axonal mitochondrial viability but no effects on dendritic mitochondrial viability [70]. SNPH anchors mitochondria to the cytoskeleton, a process that may be regulated by SNPH ubiquitination, which, instead of triggering SNPH degradation, fortifies the attachment of SNPH to microtubules. Ca²⁺ promotes SNPH binding to microtubules and kinesin-1, decreasing the ATPase occupancy of kinesin-1 and inhibiting mitochondrial motility; however, this phenomenon occurs only in the axons (Fig. 1B). In addition, the stability of the axonal microtubule structure may affect RGC mitochondrial transport; it has been shown that in a glaucoma model, the massive accumulation of TAU, a microtubule-binding protein, in RGC axons within the retina disrupts axonal prograde transport function [21]. Therefore, disruption of microtubule integrity or function may compromise mitochondrial transport in RGC axons.

Fig. 1

Axonal mitochondrial transport. (A) Ca²⁺ affects axonemal mitochondrial transport and localization, where axonemal mitochondria are docked in regions of high Ca²⁺ concentration. (i) Motor Release Model. (ii) Motor-Miro binding model. (B) Ca²⁺ promotes binding of SNPH to microtubules and kinesin-1, and SNPH stably anchors axonal mitochondria by inhibiting motor ATPase activity. (C) Mitochondria in axons are anchored in regions of higher glucose concentration; OGT, a glucose metabolite, modifies Milton, and FHL2 anchors mitochondria to actin

Axonal mitochondrial fusion and fission

Axonal mitochondria can undergo morphological changes through fission and fusion, and the balance between fission and fusion enables them to rapidly adapt to environmental changes to meet the energy demands of neurons.

Mitochondrial fusion is a homologous reaction in which two adjacent mitochondria achieve the fusion of their outer and inner membranes, resulting in a fibrillarly extended and networked-structured mitochondrion that allows the exchange of mtDNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Mitochondrial fusion resists environmental stress by buffering the adverse effects of large fluctuations in the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, fused mitochondria have a metabolic advantage due to their more elongated morphology than individual mitochondria, allowing them to have higher concentrations of ATP. The mechanism of mitochondrial fusion (the fusion of the outer and inner membranes) is complex and currently unknown. The outer membrane fusion protein mitofusin (MFN) is essentially a GTPase with two structurally similar isoforms, MFN1 and MFN2, both of which have two heptapeptide repeats, with HR1 in the N-terminal region and HR2 in the C-terminal region. Upon hydrolysis of GTP, the two isoforms of the HR1 structure undergo residue rearrangement to form the “G interface” and dimerize through this interface to form the G-HR1 dimer, which undergoes a major conformational change. However, the direction of the HR2 structure changes from the open conformation to the closed conformation, completing the fusion of the outer mitochondrial membrane [71]. Fusion of the inner mitochondrial membrane primarily depends on the lipid components of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and IMM [72]. OPA1 is a dynamin-like GTPase that includes an N-terminal transmembrane (TM) structural domain, a G structural domain, and a predicted long helical region, with a minimum G structural domain of MGD, which forms an OPA1-MGD nucleotide-dependent dimer during hydrolysis by GTPase and promotes endosomal fusion. Fusions of inner and outer membranes are reciprocally inter-regulated in a delicate dynamic balance; once the outer membrane is fused, fusion of the inner membrane occurs rapidly, and the rare fusion of the outer membrane that does not result in fusion of the inner membrane leads to defects in the formation of mitochondria [73].

Mitochondrial fission is the process by which one mitochondrion splits into two parts. Mitophagy controls mitochondrial quality by removing damaged organelles, promoting apoptosis under high cellular stress levels, and promoting mitochondrial fission. Like fusion, mitochondrial fission is coordinated by the dynamin-like GTPase, Drp1 [74]. In addition to Recombinant Dynamin 2 (DNM2), also known as DYN2, human chromosome 19p13.2, human mitochondrial dynamics proteins 49 (MID49) and human mitochondrial dynamics proteins 51 (MID51), mitochondrial fission 1 (FIS1), mitochondrial fission factor, and other proteins are involved in mitochondrial fission [75]. Drp1 is a cytosolic protein consisting of four structural domains: the N-terminal GTPase structural domain, the posterior intermediate structural domain, the variable structural domain, and the GED in the C-terminus, which is recruited to the mitochondria via a junction on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). When fission occurs, the mitochondria are first contacted by ER tubules, which mediate mitochondrial contraction and a reduction in diameter to allow for the formation of the Drp1 oligomerization ring. At this point, Drp1 has been recruited to the OMM to form an oligomerization ring around the mitochondria and to enhance contraction of the mitochondria that is already present, and then GTP hydrolyzes, and DNM2 is recruited to the contractile sites of the mitochondria, assembling and completing the process of fission [48]. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that Drp1 is contractile and severing and that the presence of DNM2 seems dispensable [76].

The relationship between mitochondrial fusion/fission kinetics and mitophagy is complicated. In addition to the fact that mitochondrial fission can facilitate the completion of mitochondrial autophagy, excessive fusion prevents mitochondrial degradation, which can be compensated for by increased fission and inhibition of fusion in mitochondria deficient in mitochondrial autophagy factors. The fusion and fission of mitochondria affect the morphological changes of mitochondria and determine their mobility and localization, which are essential for maintaining the normal physiological activities of RGC axons based on the specificity of mitochondrial functions.

Axonal mitophagy

With a complex dendritic structure, extensive branching of long axons, and axons enriched with ion pumps and ion channels to maintain membrane potential, neurons are the most energy-demanding cell type [77]. The ATP required by normal cells is produced primarily through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria; however, neurons rely primarily on oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria to provide ATP. Mitochondrial transport to the distal end of the axon is essential to ensure a normal energy supply due to the long axons of neurons; when mitochondria are dysfunctional or when the transportation process is blocked, the axon is highly susceptible to degeneration caused by energy exhaustion, leading to the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases [78]. Common degenerative changes within axons include Wallerian degeneration, which occurs in severe acute injuries, and retrograde death, associated with chronic injuries. During retrograde death, the distal synapse of the axon first degenerates and gradually progresses retrograde to the soma [21]. At the initial stage of injury, neurons can activate protective mechanisms to restore the number of functional mitochondria in the axon; however, when the mitochondria are severely damaged beyond their compensatory capacity, the damaged mitochondria in the axon are phagocytosed and removed by autophagosomes, and the degradation products are recycled to replenish energy, a process known as axonal mitophagy [78, 79]. Mitochondria are the primary sites of intracellular energy production. As major oxygen-consuming organelles, mitochondria are the main source and target of ROS in hypoxia, making them more susceptible to ROS-induced oxidative damage [80]. Mitophagy is the selective degradation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria to maintain normal intracellular energy metabolism, and several studies have indicated that it plays a vital role in the differentiation and development of eukaryotes [81,82,83,84]. Mitochondrial autophagy is crucial to maintaining neuronal activity and is the last barrier to maintaining mitochondrial quality in neurons. The mechanism by which mitochondrial autophagy occurs in axons is complex, and in recent years, it has become an exciting area of investigation.

Axonal mitochondria are transported back to the soma by autolysosomes for autophagy, which dominates axonal mitochondrial autophagy. Autophagosomes are formed at the distal end of the axon, phagocytose organelles, such as mitochondria and part of the cytoplasm, and move bidirectionally in the distal ends of the axon [8]. Notably, some autophagosomes escape from localized bidirectional movement and move in the reverse direction along the axon toward the cell body under the action of kinesin [85, 86]. During retrograde transport, autophagosomes gradually acidify and fuse with lysosomes until they reach the cytosol, become fully acidified, and mature [8]. This process allows the degradation products within the autophagosome to be transported directly to the primary sites of synthesis of biomolecules such as proteins and lipids, consequently increasing the efficiency of recycling (Fig. 2A).

However, Ashrafi et al. suggested that mitophagy can occur locally in the distal axons (Fig. 2B) [10]. Mitophagy is usually activated by two pathways: one is dependent on the receptor, and the other is mediated by ubiquitin [87]. Under stress, proteins such as BNIP3, NIX, and FUNDC1, mammalian mitochondrial autophagy receptors, can be recruited to the OMM and interact with LC3 to mediate autophagosomal phagocytosis of injured mitochondria [88]. Mitochondrial autophagy at the distal ends of axons is primarily mediated by PINK1-Parkin. PINK1 is a mitochondrial protein that rapidly degrades in the normal inner membrane and is maintained at low intracellular levels. Dysfunctional mitochondria undergo a loss of membrane potential that allows PINK1 to accumulate selectively in the outer membrane of dysfunctional mitochondria; therefore, PINK1 can act as a sensor for mitochondrial dysfunction [89, 90]. Parkin is a member of the ubiquitin E3 ligase family and is autoinhibited in normal cells. When mitochondrial function is abnormal, PINK undergoes multisite phosphorylation. Parkin is recruited to the mitochondrial outer membrane by PINK and is further activated by phosphorylation of PINK1, causing extensive and rapid phosphorylation and ubiquitination events on the mitochondrial surface; OMM proteins are rapidly ubiquitinated by Parkin [91,92,93,94,95]. Optineurin is an autophagy receptor with a ubiquitin-binding structural domain and LIR (LC3 interaction region) motifs, which bind to the ubiquitinated OMM in PINK1-Parkin and connect to autophagosomes via LC3 on the autophagosome membrane. Subsequently, damaged mitochondria are surrounded and engulfed by autophagosomes and transported to lysosomes for degradation to remove damaged mitochondria and maintain cellular function stability [4, 92]. During autophagy, the mitochondrion is encapsulated in a double-layered vesicle known as the autophagosome, which is then transported to the lysosome for degradation [96]. Localized axonal mitophagy, which does not require retrograde transport to somatic cells, provides rapid neuroprotection, reduces oxidative stress, and prevents the spread of oxidative damage. Application of acute stress stimuli to axons triggers local PINK1-dependent mitochondrial autophagy; however, the short half-life of PINK1 makes it unlikely to be transported as a protein to the distal regions of neuronal axons. The PINK1-Parkin pathway is dependent on the sustained synthesis of PINK1 and is activated by the inhibition of PINK1 degradation. To induce mitophagy that occurs locally in the axon, the mRNA encoding PINK1 is expressed locally in the axon [10]. It has been observed that the mRNA for PINK1 co-localizes with mitochondria in the axon, and the mitochondrial outer membrane proteins, synaptojanin 2-binding protein (SYNJ2BP) and synaptojanin 2 (SYNJ2), through the RNA-binding domain in SYNJ2, tether PINK1 mRNA to mitochondria [19]. This neuron-specific adaptation to the localized translation of PINK1 provides distal mitochondria with a continuous supply of PINK1 to activate mitophagy. It has been shown that the total number of mitochondria in the mouse RGC soma is 10 times higher than that in the ONH [97]; notably, the total number of mitochondria that undergo degradation in the two regions is indeed comparable, with a unique process of mitophagy in the ONH. Davis et al. observed by transmission electron microscopy that in the mouse ONH, mitochondria accumulate in axons near the membrane site of astrocytes, axonal avulsions fill the mitochondria, astrocytes undergo phagocytosis, and detached avulsions are internalized by astrocytes (Fig. 2C) [97]. Davis et al. further determined that mitochondria-rich torn-offs were degraded in astrocytes because the organelles colocalized with lysosomal markers, were surrounded by the astrocyte membrane, and detected degraded neuronal mitochondrial DNA in astrocytes. This evidence suggests that transcytotic autophagy may occur in the mitochondria of RGC axons [97, 98]. However, it remains uncertain whether the axonal mitochondria eliminated at the ONH are solely those that reside locally within the axon or if other axonal mitochondria destined for degradation are actively transported to the ONH for processing. The reason for the selective degradation of axonal mitochondria in the ONH remains unclear, which was hypothesized by Davis CH et al [97]. One possible explanation could be that this pathway is triggered by a focal axonal injury, which is inadequate to initiate axonal loss. An alternative possibility is that transporting axonal mitochondria back to the soma for degradation through the narrow region of the lamina propria is arduous or energy-demanding. A third hypothesis is that the ONH contains a subset of astrocytes displaying exceptional phagocytic capability, as indicated by the high expression of molecular markers like Mac2. Astrocytes have demonstrated their capacity to phagocytose synapses in the developing visual pathway. Synapses usually encompass large quantities of mitochondria; thus, the molecular mechanisms employed by astrocytes in synapse phagocytosis are likely employed in the phagocytosis of axonal mitochondria in the ONH and other regions.

Fig. 2

RGC Axonal mitophagy. (A) Axonal mitochondria can be transported back to the soma by autolysosomes for autophagy. During retrograde transport, the autophagosome gradually acidifies and fuses with the lysosome until it arrives at the soma fully acidified. (B) Mitophagy via the PINK1-Parkin pathway localized in the distal axon. (C) At ONH, mitochondria accumulate in axons near the membrane site of astrocytes, and axonal avulsions are filled with mitochondria internalized by astrocytes

Optic nerve-related diseases and axonal mitophagy

The role of mitochondrial autophagy in optic nerve-related diseases has recently attracted increasing attention. Several studies have shown that mitochondrial autophagy is crucial in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer disease, Huntington chorea, PD, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. RGCs are highly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction due to their intricate dendritic and prolonged axonal structures, as well as their elevated energy demands. Noteworthy, various optic neuropathies, like Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and autosomal dominant optic atrophy, are linked to inherited mitochondrial abnormalities [99, 100]. However, the association of axonal mitochondrial autophagy with these disorders has not yet been elucidated. Glaucoma is the most common optic neuropathy and the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Age-related mitochondrial defects play a central role in glaucoma pathogenesis, and defects in multiple aspects of axonal mitochondrial autophagy may be responsible for glaucomatous optic nerve degeneration.

It has been suggested that axonal degeneration precedes the death of RGC soma [101]. Mitophagy occurs in the soma and axons [10, 102]; however, there is evidence from studies indicating that neighboring astrocytes degrade a large number of mitochondria in the ONH, a nontraditional mitochondrial autophagy process known as transcellular degradation [97, 98]. In a mouse model of glaucoma (DBA/2J), the absence of mitochondrial regions in RGC axons increased, mitochondrial length decreased with age, and mitochondrial transport was impaired [62]. Despite their increased mobility, these short, fragmented mitochondria are functionally defective and cannot efficiently energize the optic nerve, becoming targets for degradation. Despite the increase in autophagosomes in the optic nerves of DBA/2J mice, increased mitochondria and decreased LAMP1 suggest that fragmented mitochondria are not efficiently recycled in axons via mitophagy [23]. Therefore, in the mouse glaucoma model, autophagic degradation of axonal mitochondria occurs primarily in the soma rather than locally in the axon via the PINK1-Parkin pathway. Because of the impaired axonal transport function caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagosomes accumulate in the axon, and broken mitochondria cannot be effectively cleared, further impairing the function of the RGC and aggravating neurodegeneration. Howell et al. concluded that the prominent focal swelling of axons and mitochondria-filled dystrophic neuromasts within the glial layer of the ONH are the earliest indications of glaucomatous pathology. Therefore, we hypothesized that mitochondrial transcellular autophagy occurring at the ONH maintains mitochondrial homeostasis in the unmyelinated axons of RGC and that factors such as mechanical stress influence this process, resulting in an increase in fragmented mitochondria at the ONH that are not efficiently cleared and do not adequately energize the axons in the unmyelinated region.

Shim et al. [103] conducted a study that revealed the role of E50K expression in inducing degradation and subsequent mitophagy through mitochondrial division in the glial layer axons of aged E50K^− tg mice. The presence of OPTN mutations has been linked to primary open-angle glaucoma. Among the various types of OPTN protein mutations, the E50K mutation is particularly common. This mutation specifically triggers age-related loss of RGCs in transgenic mice, resulting in axonal degeneration and visual impairment [104, 105]. Furthermore, it was observed that overexpressing E50K led to increased expression of LC3-II protein in RGCs and their axons [106]. The formation of autophagosomes coincided with the division-mediated degradation of mitochondria in the glial layer axons of aged E50K^− tg mice. Interestingly, in vitro experiments demonstrated that E50K overexpression did not affect the kinetics of mitochondrial transport or alter their length in RGCs. Considering the mechanisms involved, it is suggested that the E50K mutation may initiate injury to mitochondrial dynamics through Bax-mediated pathways. Additionally, this mutation further contributes to the degradation and dysfunction of mitochondria in RGC axons during RGC degeneration [103, 107]. Kim et al. observed that the inhibition of dynamin-related protein 1 expression in the retina of DBA/2J mice reduced the number of fragmented mitochondria and maintained mitochondrial integrity in the retinal glial layer, protecting RGC axons [32]. It has been shown that in ischemic hypoxic neuronal axons, axonal mitochondria are retrogradely transported to the soma for autophagic degradation. Blockade of mitochondrial movement aggravates an ischemic neuronal injury, and enhanced retrograde mitochondrial movement is neuroprotective. Promoting retrograde mitochondrial transport enhances mitochondrial autophagy and reduces mitochondrial quantity but improves mitochondrial function, further promoting neuronal survival. In contrast, inhibition of mitochondrial movement results in mitochondrial accumulation and impaired mitochondrial quality, exacerbating neuronal injury. These results suggest that mitochondrial quality is more important for neuronal survival than mitochondrial quantity. Therefore, promoting retrograde mitochondrial transport and facilitating mitochondrial autophagy in axonal injury may be an important strategy for improving mitochondrial quality control during ischemia-reperfusion, providing new ideas for the treatment of glaucoma and other ischemic optic nerve diseases.

Summarization and prospect

Structurally, with long axons, the distribution of mitochondria in different RGC compartments is conducive to meeting the energy demands of local metabolic activities. Functionally, as projection neurons in the retina, RGC transmits large amounts of signaling molecules to the synaptic terminal via the axon and then presents and exchanges the signaling molecules with CNS neurons through endocytosis and exocytosis; this phenomenon results in a large amount of energy loss during the transportation and exchange of signaling molecules. Therefore, once mitochondrial quality is impaired, the structure and function of RGC become highly susceptible to damage. The close coordination and cooperation between biosynthesis, fission, fusion, bidirectional transport, and clearance of axonal mitochondria are crucial for regulating the mitochondrial quality of RGCs. An insufficient supply of healthy mitochondria or the accumulation of fragmented mitochondria can lead to an energy crisis in RGC. There is growing evidence that axonal mitophagy is critical for maintaining normal axonal physiological activity and plays an essential role in glaucomatous diseases. The mechanisms of axonal mitochondrial autophagy have not been fully elucidated; however, three pathways have been identified: retrograde mitochondrial transport to the soma autophagy, axonal local mitophagy, and ONH axonal mitophagy across the cell membrane. Transporting mitochondria back into the cytosol for autophagy is more conducive to the recycling and reuse of post-autophagic products, and this approach is now considered the primary pathway by which autophagy occurs in the axonal mitochondria. The rapid mitophagic response that occurs locally in the distal axon provides rapid neuroprotection, reduces oxidative stress, and prevents the spread of oxidative damage during transport. Transcellular degradation by astrocytes in the ONH to assist axonal mitophagy accelerates the rate of mitochondrial renewal and supports the high demand for mitochondria by unmyelinated axons in the nerve fiber layer. Based on various studies, it can be hypothesized that dysregulation of axonal mitochondrial autophagy may result in the accumulation of axonal autophagosomes and mitochondrial debris and a shortage of axonal energy supply, which may lead to impaired axonal function, the inability to recycle fragmented mitochondria and other organelles, and the inability of the soma to transport healthy mitochondria in support of the axon’s physiological activities, which may lead to or exacerbate neuronal damage.

Furthermore, several aspects of axonal mitophagy are not yet clearly understood, and there are many questions have not yet been sufficiently explored. Does axonal mitophagy play different roles in normal and damaged axons [108, 109]? Why do multiple modes of axonal mitophagy exist [8, 10, 97]? What regulatory signals initiate different axonal mitophagy modalities? Could the existence of multiple pathways of mitophagy not be related to the differing structures and functions of different cell types, coupled with the different environmental signals they are exposed to? Is there another method for removing axon-damaged mitochondria [110]? Promoting axonal mitophagy is beneficial for maintaining axonal homeostasis; however, this may have a negative effect. How is axonal mitophagy regulated? How can modulation of axonal mitophagy be utilized to treat glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases? With more intensive research, regulating axonal mitophagy through various links may lead to breakthroughs in the future treatment of optic nerve-related diseases and other nervous system diseases.