{"title":"Review: The role of microglia in diabetic retinopathy and its potential as a therapeutic target.","authors":"Wen Liu, Jieyu Jiang, Wenwen Li, Zhiming Liu, Xiangdong Chen","doi":"","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and severe complication of diabetes, which poses a serious threat to vision, and its pathogenesis is complex. Inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the progression of DR, but currently, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, the preferred treatment for DR, only targets the vascular part. Therefore, determining a treatment method targeting the inflammatory response in DR is an important step in addressing DR. As immune cells within the retina, microglia play a key role in the inflammatory response in DR, which is a crucial link in its pathogenic mechanism. By regulating the inflammatory response of microglia, the progression of DR can be effectively slowed down. This review deeply explores the mechanism of action of microglia in DR by reviewing relevant research achievements and evaluates the potential of treatment strategies targeting microglia in slowing down the progression of DR. The study focuses on how to further optimize the treatment regimen for DR by regulating different pathways such as the release of inflammatory factors, the occurrence of oxidative stress, phenotypic transformation, intercellular interactions, and phagocytic activity of microglia, providing important clues for the development of novel treatment methods for DR. Through a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of these treatment strategies, the study aims to provide more precise and effective treatment regimens for patients with DR, so as to improve their visual prognosis and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"32 ","pages":"49-68"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13056012/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Molecular Vision","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and severe complication of diabetes, which poses a serious threat to vision, and its pathogenesis is complex. Inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the progression of DR, but currently, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, the preferred treatment for DR, only targets the vascular part. Therefore, determining a treatment method targeting the inflammatory response in DR is an important step in addressing DR. As immune cells within the retina, microglia play a key role in the inflammatory response in DR, which is a crucial link in its pathogenic mechanism. By regulating the inflammatory response of microglia, the progression of DR can be effectively slowed down. This review deeply explores the mechanism of action of microglia in DR by reviewing relevant research achievements and evaluates the potential of treatment strategies targeting microglia in slowing down the progression of DR. The study focuses on how to further optimize the treatment regimen for DR by regulating different pathways such as the release of inflammatory factors, the occurrence of oxidative stress, phenotypic transformation, intercellular interactions, and phagocytic activity of microglia, providing important clues for the development of novel treatment methods for DR. Through a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of these treatment strategies, the study aims to provide more precise and effective treatment regimens for patients with DR, so as to improve their visual prognosis and quality of life.
期刊介绍:
Molecular Vision is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the dissemination of research results in molecular biology, cell biology, and the genetics of the visual system (ocular and cortical).
Molecular Vision publishes articles presenting original research that has not previously been published and comprehensive articles reviewing the current status of a particular field or topic. Submissions to Molecular Vision are subjected to rigorous peer review. Molecular Vision does NOT publish preprints.
For authors, Molecular Vision provides a rapid means of communicating important results. Access to Molecular Vision is free and unrestricted, allowing the widest possible audience for your article. Digital publishing allows you to use color images freely (and without fees). Additionally, you may publish animations, sounds, or other supplementary information that clarifies or supports your article. Each of the authors of an article may also list an electronic mail address (which will be updated upon request) to give interested readers easy access to authors.