Application of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy(DR), one of the major complications of diabetes which can causes diabetic macular edema and visual loss. Vascular changes in DR correlate with the cellular damage and pathological changes in the capillaries of blood-retinal barrier. Several cytokines have been involved in inducing neovascularization. These cytokines activate different signaling pathways which are mainly responsible for the complications of DR. MicroRNAs(miRNAs)have been introduced as the key factors in the regulation of the cytokine expression which plays a critical role in neovascularization of retinal cells. Some studies have shown that changing levels of miRNAs have essential role in the pathophysiology of vascular changes in patients with DR. This paper reviews the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of DR by activating the angiogenesis pathway.

Keywords

• diabetic retinopathy
• pathogenesis
• microRNAs
• neovascularization
• vascular endothelial growth factor