Research progress on the protective effects of neurotrophic factors against damage to the neurovascular unit in diabetic retinopathy

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-2007.2025.03.009

Abstract

Abstract:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of visual impairment in working-age adults, with a complex pathogenesis involving structural damage and functional impairment of the retinal neurovascular unit (RNVU). Neurotrophic factor (NTF), as important molecules regulating neuronal survival, differentiation and vascular stability, has shown potential therapeutic value in the neurovascular protection of DR in recent years. The principal pathological alterations of the RNVU associated with DR was delineated, the protective roles and mechanisms of NTFs against RNVU injury, and the advancements in research concerning NTFs in mitigating hyperglycemia-induced RNVU damage alongside their prospective clinical applications were elucidated and emphasized, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for further experimental research and clinical treatment in this paper.

Key words: Neurotrophic factor, Diabetic retinopathy, Neurovascular unit, Damage protection, Research Progress

Hongli Li, Yanchun Zhang. Research progress on the protective effects of neurotrophic factors against damage to the neurovascular unit in diabetic retinopathy[J]. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmologic Medicine(Electronic Edition), 2025, 15(03): 176-182.

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