Modulation of Thrombospondin 1 and Pigment Epithelium–Derived Factor Levels in Vitreous Fluid of Patients With Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious microvascular complication and is a major cause of adult blindness when it progresses to the proliferative stage with active neovascularization. It is characterized by early microvascular damage and capillary nonperfusion resulting in retinal ischemia and retinal neovascularization.^1-3 The retinal neovascularization is driven by ischemia, which results in increased production of several stimulators of angiogenesis and perhaps decreased production of inhibitors of angiogenesis. Thus, alterations in the balanced production of positive and negative regulators of angiogenesis may determine the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Many studies have focused on the role of positive factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the potential role of the endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy remains poorly understood.