Exploring the role of the TLR4/NF-B signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy

Abstract. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of blindness and the neurodegenerative and microvascular disease known as diabetic retinopathy (DR). Diabetes-related retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) is thought to be a potential therapeutic target for primary or secondary prevention of traditional DR while the exact nature of the link between DRN and diabetic retinal vasculopathy (DRV) is still unknown. Therefore, compared with the DRV, in-depth study of DRN may provide a better understanding of this important cause of blindness. Immunoinflammatory mechanisms are currently believed to play crucial role in the occurrence and development of DR. Interrelated molecular pathways, such as the formation of glycosylation end products and oxidative stress (OS) in late diabetes, contribute to the inflammatory response. Furthermore, blocking the TLR4/NF-B signaling pathway has been shown to be an effective way to reduce DR, as demonstrated by a number of studies. This paper examines the function of the inflammatory response and TLR4/NF-B signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of DRN, which may offer fresh perspectives on DR therapy.