Therapeutic potential of integrins in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of visual loss, is the result of microvascular damage induced by prolonged hyperglycemia. Numerous studies have revealed the pivotal role of integrins in the pathogenesis of DR, particularly in key processes such as inflammation, vascular leakage, microthrombus formation, and angiogenesis. Consequently, targeting integrins is considered a promising strategy for the treatment of DR. This review focuses on the function of integrins in DR and their potential as therapeutic targets. It describes the molecular mechanisms through which integrins influence DR progression and summarizes the latest outcomes of integrin antagonist-based therapeutic strategies in clinical studies, evaluating their efficacy and potential challenges, which offer promise as novel treatment options for DR.