Targeting microRNAs in diabetic retinopathy: from pathogenic mechanisms to therapeutic potentials

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes, causing significant global health issues.
• Current treatments for DR, such as anti-VEGF agents, have limitations in early stages and can be invasive.
• There is a critical need for new strategies for early DR intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a unifying hypothesis on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in DR pathogenesis.
• To highlight miRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early DR detection.
• To explore miRNA-based therapeutics for DR management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on DR, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and vascular dysfunction.
• Analysis of the proposed role of miRNAs as master regulators integrating multiple pathological pathways.
• Discussion of miRNA profiling techniques (qRT-PCR, ddPCR, microarrays) and their therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are hypothesized to integrate and amplify hyperglycemia-induced damage via oxidative stress, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and vascular dysfunction.
• Specific dysregulated miRNAs modulate key pathways in DR pathogenesis and show stage-specific expression in biofluids.
• miRNAs demonstrate potential as non-invasive biomarkers for early DR detection.

Conclusions:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are central regulators in diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis, linking hyperglycemia to multi-system damage.
• Dysregulated miRNAs serve as promising biomarkers for early DR detection and monitoring.
• miRNA-based therapies offer a revolutionary approach for precision management and prevention of DR progression.