MicroRNAs and their effects on retinal neovascularization

Abstract

Retinal neovascularization occurs in various ischemic retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal periphlebitis and retinal vein occlusion. The tortuous, disordered and leaky new blood vessels produced in this pathological process of diseases, are the main cause of intraocular hemorrhage, retinal detachment and even visual loss. Although current clinical treatments, including laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy, have certain curative effect to delay the progress of neovascularization, they are invasive treatments. Recently, along with the deep studies of microRNAs, it is found that different microRNAs play important roles in the angiogenesis process by regulating the specific target genes, therapy that based on microRNAs provides a new idea for effective inhibition of retinal angiogenesis. This article reviews on microRNAs and its function in retinal neovascularization. Key words: Retinal neovascularization; MicroRNAs; Target gene; Treatment