Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Steven F. Abcouwer
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Kellogg Eye Center,
1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tanzania
Review Article
Angiogenic Factors and Cytokines in Diabetic Retinopathy
Author(s): Steven F. AbcouwerSteven F. Abcouwer
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening complication of both type-1 and type-2 diabetes. The recent success of treatments inhibiting the function of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) demonstrates that specific targeting of a growth factor responsible for vascular permeability and growth is an effective means of treating DR-associated vascular dysfunction, edema and angiogenesis. This has stimulated research of alternative therapeutic targets involved in the control of retinal vascular function. However, additional treatment options and preventative measures are still needed and these require a greater understanding of the pathological mechanisms leading to the disturbance of retinal tissue homeostasis in DR. Although severe DR can be treated as a vascular disease, abundant data suggests that inflammation is also occurring in the diabetic retina.Thus, anti-inflammatory.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9899.S1-011