Targeting Neurovascular Interaction in Retinal Disorders

• The tightly structured neural retina has a unique vascular network comprised of three interconnected plexuses in the inner retina (and choroid for outer retina), which provide oxygen and nutrients to neurons to maintain normal function. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that neuronal metabolic needs control both normal retinal vascular development and pathological aberrant vascular growth. Particularly, photoreceptors, with the highest density of mitochondria in the body, regulate retinal vascular development by modulating angiogenic and inflammatory factors. Photoreceptor metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation may cause adaptive but ultimately pathological retinal vascular responses, leading to blindness. Here we focus on the factors involved in neurovascular interactions, which are potential therapeutic targets to decrease energy demand and/or to increase energy production for neovascular retinal disorders.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

photoreceptors

energy shortage

inflammation

angiogenesis

retina

growth-factor 21

endoplasmic-reticulum stress

bevacizumab avastin

therapy

oxygen-induced retinopathy

induced oxidative stress

670 nm

light

diabetic-retinopathy

c-fos

macular degeneration

fatty-acids

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Chemistry

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)