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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Tear-Derived Exosomal miR-15a as New Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy
Published on: December 30, 2025
Mitochondrial dysfunctions, endothelial progenitor cells and diabetic retinopathy
Yan Shao1, Xiaorong Li2, John W Wood3
1Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China; Department of Physiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73014, USA.
Aim:
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss in the working age population. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) play a vital role in vascular damage repair. This article will review recent progress regarding mitochondrial and EPC dysfunction associated with DR.
Results:
EPCs represent a limited population of adult stem cells possessing vasculogenic potential postnatally; their number and function are changed in DR. Among all the function changes, mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the dysregulation of EPCs, as mitochondria regulate energy balance, and cell fate determination.
Conclusions:
Although the mechanism for the role of mitochondria dysregulation in EPC function remains elusive, mitochondria of EPCs represent a promising target for the treatment of the vasculopathy presented within DR.
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