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: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 586

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
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

E-Mail Website
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

E-Mail Website
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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

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
Viewed by 316
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
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop