Diabetic Retinopathy: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Perspectives

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2074

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
Interests: diabetes; cardiovascular disease; kidney disease; obesity; alcoholic liver disease

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Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Missouri, 1 Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
Interests: protein aggregation diseases; proteostasis; minichaperone therapeutics; protein structure & function

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Guest Editor
Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Interests: diabetic retinopathy; histoplasmosis; macular degeneration; macular edema

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction:

We are pleased to announce the call for submissions to our upcoming special issue on "Diabetic Retinopathy: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Perspectives." Diabetic retinopathy is a severe complication of diabetes that affects the retina, leading to progressive vision loss and blindness if left untreated. It is a rapidly growing global health concern, with the number of affected individuals projected to rise in the coming years. Given the significant impact of this condition on public health, there is an urgent need for comprehensive research to understand its pathophysiology and develop effective therapeutic strategies.

Scientific Background and Importance:

Diabetic retinopathy is a complex and multifactorial disease resulting from chronic hyperglycemia and other metabolic changes. Hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, microvascular injury, neuronal dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and vascular abnormalities contribute to the development and progression of this sight-threatening condition. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and identifying novel therapeutic targets are crucial for advancing the field and improving patient outcomes. By shedding light on the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy, this special issue aims to provide a platform for researchers to share their insights and discoveries, fostering collaboration and innovation in this vital research area.

Aim of the Special Issue and Journal Relevance:

This special issue aims to consolidate the latest advancements in understanding diabetic retinopathy, focusing on translating scientific knowledge into therapeutic perspectives. We invite researchers, clinicians, and scientists from diverse backgrounds to contribute their original research articles, review articles, and perspectives to this special issue. By bringing together a multidisciplinary collection of contributions, we aspire to bridge the gap between basic science, clinical research, and therapeutic interventions.

Suggested Themes and Article Types for Submissions:

We welcome submissions covering a wide range of topics related to diabetic retinopathy, including but not limited to:

  • Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetic retinopathy
  • Molecular and cellular changes in the diabetic retina
  • Novel diagnostic and imaging techniques for early detection and monitoring
  • Therapeutic Targets and pharmacological interventions
  • Gene and cell-based therapies for diabetic retinopathy
  • Neuroprotection and neuroregeneration strategies
  • Role of Inflammation and immune responses in disease progression
  • Clinical Trials and Outcomes of novel therapies
  • Epidemiology and risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy
  • Patient-centered Approaches and patient outcomes
  • Pathobiology of Type1 versus Typ2 diabteic retinopathy
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence in diabeteic retionopathy

This special issue seeks to address the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology underlying diabetic retinopathy and explore innovative therapeutic perspectives to manage and prevent this sight-threatening condition. Our special issue aligns perfectly with the scope of our esteemed journal, which strongly emphasizes publishing high-quality research in the field of ophthalmology and vision science. We encourage submissions that delve into the intricate mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, ranging from preclinical studies to clinical trials, from imaging techniques to pharmacological interventions, and from biomarker discoveries to novel treatment modalities. By showcasing the latest research developments, this special issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge, inspire new research directions, and facilitate the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice.

We encourage authors to submit original research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and perspectives that contribute significantly to the understanding and management of diabetic retinopathy.

Submission Instructions:

Manuscripts should be prepared according to the journal's guidelines and submitted through the online submission system. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure scientific rigor and quality.

Join us in this exciting endeavor to advance our understanding of diabetic retinopathy and explore therapeutic perspectives. Together, we can make a significant impact in improving the lives of millions affected by this devastating condition. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Annayya R. Aroor
Dr. Puttur Santhoshkumar
Dr. Dean P. Hainsworth
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • diabetic retinopathy
  • microvascular injury
  • neuronal dysfunction
  • mitochondrial dysfunction
  • oxidative stress
  • inflammation
  • biomarkers
  • signaling pathways
  • pharmacological interventions
  • anti-vegf
  • gene therapy
  • stem cell-based therapies
  • prevention strategies
  • patient education programs
  • patient-centered care

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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14 pages, 2840 KiB  
Article
Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Maintains Retinal Homeostasis after Ischemia/Reperfusion
by Tat Fong Ng, Jenna Y. Cho, John L. Zhao, John R. Gardiner, Eric S. Wang, Elman Leung, Ziqian Xu, Samantha L. Fineman, Melinda Lituchy, Amy C. Lo and Andrew W. Taylor
Biomolecules 2024, 14(5), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14050525 - 27 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1267
Abstract
Augmenting the natural melanocortin pathway in mouse eyes with uveitis or diabetes protects the retinas from degeneration. The retinal cells are protected from oxidative and apoptotic signals of death. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a therapeutic application of the melanocortin alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone [...] Read more.
Augmenting the natural melanocortin pathway in mouse eyes with uveitis or diabetes protects the retinas from degeneration. The retinal cells are protected from oxidative and apoptotic signals of death. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a therapeutic application of the melanocortin alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on an ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) model of retinal degenerative disease. Eyes were subjected to an I/R procedure and were treated with α-MSH. Retinal sections were histopathologically scored. Also, the retinal sections were immunostained for viable ganglion cells, activated Muller cells, microglial cells, and apoptosis. The I/R caused retinal deformation and ganglion cell loss that was significantly reduced in I/R eyes treated with α-MSH. While α-MSH treatment marginally reduced the number of GFAP-positive Muller cells, it significantly suppressed the density of Iba1-positive microglial cells in the I/R retinas. Within one hour after I/R, there was apoptosis in the ganglion cell layer, and by 48 h, there was apoptosis in all layers of the neuroretina. The α-MSH treatment significantly reduced and delayed the onset of apoptosis in the retinas of I/R eyes. The results demonstrate that therapeutically augmenting the melanocortin pathways preserves retinal structure and cell survival in eyes with progressive neuroretinal degenerative disease. Full article
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Systematic Review
Prevalence and Predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Saudi Arabia: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Ali Mohammed Alshahrani, Alaa Mohammed Alshahrani, Beshayer Abdullah H. Al-Boqami, Alwaleed Abdulhadi Alqahtani, Bassam Alzahrani, Yousef Bassi, Mohammed Yousef Almohaimeed, Abeer Mohammed Alalmaai, Ariana Saraiva, Bandar Naffaa Alhumaidi, Najla A. Albaridi, Maria João Lima, Conrado Carrascosa and António Raposo
Biomolecules 2024, 14(12), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14121486 - 22 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness among diabetic patients, particularly in areas with an increase in diabetes epidemics, such as Saudi Arabia. Notwithstanding the significant public health implications, data on the prevalence and risk factors of DR [...] Read more.
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness among diabetic patients, particularly in areas with an increase in diabetes epidemics, such as Saudi Arabia. Notwithstanding the significant public health implications, data on the prevalence and risk factors of DR in Saudi Arabia are few and scattered, limited to certain geographic areas. Our study objective is to conduct a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the prevalence and predictors for DR in Saudi Arabia, within both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were constructed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar electronic databases for studies published from 2000–2023. Any study related to the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in T1DM or T2DM among adult patients aged ≥18 years that was conducted in Saudi Arabia was included. Pooling prevalence estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity across the studies was tested by the I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Results: A total of 11 studies published between 2006 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 99 to over 50,000 participants. The overall pooled prevalence of DR was estimated to be 31% (95% CI: 24–39%), with substantial heterogeneity observed across studies (I2 = 99%). Prevalence estimates ranged from 16.7% to 69.8% and were influenced by variables such as study design, duration of diabetes, and glycemic control. Among individuals with type 2 diabetes, the pooled prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 20–28%). Poor glycemic control and longer diabetes duration were consistently identified as significant predictors of DR, while other factors, such as obesity and hypertension, were also associated with an increased risk of DR. Conclusions: The high prevalence of DR in Saudi Arabia highlights the critical need for focused public health initiatives, especially among those with type 2 diabetes. To minimize the effects of DR, early intervention, routine DR screening programs, and optimal diabetes control are essential. The increasing prevalence of DR in Saudi Arabia requires careful consideration of healthcare policy and resource allocation, which is made possible by our results. Full article
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