{"title":"Photoreceptor responses to light in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.","authors":"Shahriyar P Majidi, Rithwick Rajagopal","doi":"10.1017/S0952523820000061","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vision loss, among the most feared complications of diabetes, is primarily caused by diabetic retinopathy, a disease that manifests in well-recognized, characteristic microvascular lesions. The reasons for retinal susceptibility to damage in diabetes are unclear, especially considering that microvascular networks are found in all tissues. However, the unique metabolic demands of retinal neurons could account for their vulnerability in diabetes. Photoreceptors are the first neurons in the visual circuit and are also the most energy-demanding cells of the retina. Here, we review experimental and clinical evidence linking photoreceptors to the development of diabetic retinopathy. We then describe the influence of retinal illumination on photoreceptor metabolism, effects of light modulation on the severity of diabetic retinopathy, and recent clinical trials testing the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with interventions that impact photoreceptor metabolism. Finally, we introduce several possible mechanisms that could link photoreceptor responses to light and the development of retinal vascular disease in diabetes. Collectively, these concepts form the basis for a growing body of investigative efforts aimed at developing novel pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic tools that target photoreceptor physiology to treat a very common cause of blindness across the world.</p>","PeriodicalId":23556,"journal":{"name":"Visual Neuroscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2020-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/S0952523820000061","citationCount":"5","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Visual Neuroscience","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952523820000061","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 5
Abstract
Vision loss, among the most feared complications of diabetes, is primarily caused by diabetic retinopathy, a disease that manifests in well-recognized, characteristic microvascular lesions. The reasons for retinal susceptibility to damage in diabetes are unclear, especially considering that microvascular networks are found in all tissues. However, the unique metabolic demands of retinal neurons could account for their vulnerability in diabetes. Photoreceptors are the first neurons in the visual circuit and are also the most energy-demanding cells of the retina. Here, we review experimental and clinical evidence linking photoreceptors to the development of diabetic retinopathy. We then describe the influence of retinal illumination on photoreceptor metabolism, effects of light modulation on the severity of diabetic retinopathy, and recent clinical trials testing the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with interventions that impact photoreceptor metabolism. Finally, we introduce several possible mechanisms that could link photoreceptor responses to light and the development of retinal vascular disease in diabetes. Collectively, these concepts form the basis for a growing body of investigative efforts aimed at developing novel pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic tools that target photoreceptor physiology to treat a very common cause of blindness across the world.
期刊介绍:
Visual Neuroscience is an international journal devoted to the publication of experimental and theoretical research on biological mechanisms of vision. A major goal of publication is to bring together in one journal a broad range of studies that reflect the diversity and originality of all aspects of neuroscience research relating to the visual system. Contributions may address molecular, cellular or systems-level processes in either vertebrate or invertebrate species. The journal publishes work based on a wide range of technical approaches, including molecular genetics, anatomy, physiology, psychophysics and imaging, and utilizing comparative, developmental, theoretical or computational approaches to understand the biology of vision and visuo-motor control. The journal also publishes research seeking to understand disorders of the visual system and strategies for restoring vision. Studies based exclusively on clinical, psychophysiological or behavioral data are welcomed, provided that they address questions concerning neural mechanisms of vision or provide insight into visual dysfunction.