Neurovascular unit and diabetic retinopathy
10.3980/j.issn.1672-5123.2023.3.01
- VernacularTitle:神经血管单元与糖尿病视网膜病变
- Author:
Yan-Nian HUI
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Eye Institute of PLA
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
neurovascular unit;
neurovascular coupling;
diabetic retinopathy
- From:
International Eye Science
2023;23(3):353-355
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The concept of neurovascular unit(NVU), formalized in 2001 at a stroke conference, emphasizes the intimate relationship between the brain and its vessels, i.e., symbiotic relationship between brain cells and cerebral blood vessels in the developmental, structural and functional interdependence. The retina is a piece of brain. Several researchers have introduced the concept of NVU to the retina since 2007. The NVU in the retina includes neurons, glial cells, microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes. Dysfunctional NVU plays a critical role in diabetic retinopathy(DR). The current limited treatments for DR focus on the late-stage complications, i.e., diabetic macular edema and proliferative DR. While the further study on retinal NVU will develop efficacious therapeutic options for the early and all stages of DR.
