The interaction between the renin-angiotensin system and vascular endothelial growth factor in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization in diabetes.
Despite the use of laser photocoagulation and knowledge of the beneficial effects of good glycaemic control, visual loss due to diabetic retinopathy remains the commonest cause of blindness in the working population. This visual loss is principally the result of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema. The processes by which diabetes mellitus results in retinopathy are incompletely understood, but recent evidence has suggested a pathogenetic role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eye in response to chronic hyperglycaemia. This review will explore evidence of a local RAS in the eye, the involvement of VEGF in diabetic retinopathy and the interaction between the RAS and VEGF in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization.
Wilkinson-Berka
J L
JL
Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Australia. j.berka@physiology.unimelb.edu.au
Kelly
D J
DJ
Gilbert
R E
RE
D000818:Animals; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors