Advances in Research Related to MicroRNA for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes and is one of the primary causes of blindness in the working-age population in Europe and the United States. At present, no cure is available for DR, but early detection and timely intervention can prevent the rapid progression of the disease. Several treatments for DR are known, primarily ophthalmic treatment based on glycemia, blood pressure, and lipid control, which includes laser photocoagulation, glucocorticoids, vitrectomy, and antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications. Despite the clinical efficacy of the aforementioned therapies, none of them can entirely shorten the clinical course of DR or reverse retinopathy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital regulators of gene expression and participate in cell growth, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. MicroRNAs have been shown to play a significant role in DR, particularly in the molecular mechanisms of inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of miRNAs involved in the occurrence and development of DR, mainly from the pathogenesis of oxidative stress, inflammation, and neovascularization. Meanwhile, this article also discusses the research progress and application of miRNA-specific therapies for DR.