Retinal Microglia: Revealing New Opportunities for Identifying Early Biomarkers of Diabetic Retinopathy
Ohisa Harley1,2, Yufilia Suci Amelia2, Elsa Gustianty2,3,4
1Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
Purpose:
To explore the role of microglia in the pathomechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR) from an inflammatory perspective.Methods: The study was conducted by searching several databases. Relevant articles were collected, summarized, and concluded.
Results:
Numerous studies have been conducted to identify inflammatory biomarkers for effective detection of DR; however, the results have been inconsistent. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the retinal tissue, are believed to play a potential role in the neuroinflammatory process induced by prolonged hyperglycemia in the retina. The excessive release of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) due to hyperglycemia may overstimulate P2X7R receptors, thereby activating the NLRP3 inflammasome, and leading to chronic progressive inflammation.
Conclusion:
Microglial activation and polarization may induce meta-inflammation, contributing to increased permeability and neovascularization, which in turn lead to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Understanding this mechanism is essential for identifying potential biomarkers for early DR detection and developing adjunctive therapies to control disease progression.
Insights
Microglia, the retina's immune cells, drive inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR) through pathways like NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Understanding this neuroinflammation is key for early DR detection and new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes characterized by retinal inflammation.
- Identifying reliable inflammatory biomarkers for DR detection remains challenging.
- Microglia, the resident immune cells in the retina, are implicated in neuroinflammation.
- Prolonged hyperglycemia can trigger inflammatory responses in the retina.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microglia in the inflammatory mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
- To explore the inflammatory perspective of microglial involvement in DR pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple scientific databases.
- Collection, summarization, and synthesis of relevant research articles.
Main Results:
- Hyperglycemia may lead to excessive extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) release.
- eATP can overstimulate P2X7R receptors, activating the NLRP3 inflammasome.
- This activation results in chronic progressive inflammation within the retina.
Conclusions:
- Microglial activation and polarization contribute to meta-inflammation in DR.
- This process increases retinal permeability and neovascularization, leading to proliferative DR.
- Understanding microglial pathways is crucial for developing early DR detection biomarkers and adjunctive therapies.
