[Research progress on the relationship between the proliferation regulation of Müller cells and retinal diseases]

Müller cells are the main glial cells in the retina and are crucial for the dynamic balance of neurons and blood vessels in the retina. They play roles in maintaining the homeostasis of the retina (including ions, water, neurotransmitter molecules, and pH value), regulating immune and inflammatory responses, and modulating the activities of retinal neurons. Müller cells are among the last cells to appear during retinal development, and almost all pathogenic stimuli can activate them. When the retina is damaged, Müller cells undergo reactive gliosis, which can be either a neuroprotective or a degenerative gliosis process. Appropriate proliferation of Müller cells contributes to retinal repair and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, while abnormal over-proliferation can lead to gliosis, exacerbating retinal pathological damage and affecting its normal function. This article reviews the relationship between the proliferation regulation of Müller cells and ocular diseases, with a particular focus on their roles in various ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular diseases, and ischemic retinopathy.