The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in the U.S., with diabetes as a significant concern for patients' physical and financial health. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vi- sual loss in working-ag...The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in the U.S., with diabetes as a significant concern for patients' physical and financial health. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vi- sual loss in working-age of adults and is characterized by retinal neurodegeneration and microvascular abnormalities in the eye. Hyperglycemia is one significant risk factor for diabetic retinop- athy and can result in increased inflammatory responses and vascular dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms un-derlying these pathologies are not fully understood. Although treatments are currently available for the patients with prolif-erative diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, including laser photocoagulation, steroids, or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, many patients fail to respond to these therapies. Therefore, it is imperative to develop additional novel therapeutics for diabetic retinopathy.展开更多
基金supported by R01EY022045 (JJS)P30EY04068 (PI: Hazlett)an Unrestricted Grant to the Department of Ophthalmology from Research to Prevent Blindness (Kresge Eye Institute)
文摘The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in the U.S., with diabetes as a significant concern for patients' physical and financial health. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vi- sual loss in working-age of adults and is characterized by retinal neurodegeneration and microvascular abnormalities in the eye. Hyperglycemia is one significant risk factor for diabetic retinop- athy and can result in increased inflammatory responses and vascular dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms un-derlying these pathologies are not fully understood. Although treatments are currently available for the patients with prolif-erative diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, including laser photocoagulation, steroids, or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, many patients fail to respond to these therapies. Therefore, it is imperative to develop additional novel therapeutics for diabetic retinopathy.