Bioactive lipids and pathological retinal angiogenesis

Abstract

Angiogenesis, disruption of the retinal barrier, leukocyte‐adhesion and oedema are cardinal signs of proliferative retinopathies that are associated with vision loss. Therefore, identifying factors that regulate these vascular dysfunctions is critical to target pathological angiogenesis. Given the conflicting role of bioactive lipids reported in the current literature, the goal of this review is to provide the reader a clear road map of what has been accomplished so far in the field with specific focus on the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)‐derived metabolites in proliferative retinopathies. This necessarily entails a description of the different retina cells, blood retina barriers and the role of (PUFAs)‐derived metabolites in diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and age‐related macular degeneration as the most common types of proliferative retinopathies.

Eicosanoids and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…The retina is an extension of the central nervous system and highly metabolic active organ. It is made of several layers, and the retinal layers from inside to outside are nerve fiber (NF), ganglion cell (GC), inner plexiform (IPL), inner nuclear (INL), outer plexiform (OPL), outer nuclear (ONL), and RPE ( Figure 3 A) [ 11 ]. The retina is related anteriorly to the vitreous, lens, and cornea, which are avascular transparent media.…”

“…The development of abnormal blood vessels in the vitreous such as in DR causes interruption of light and vision deterioration. Retinal vessels are localized in the inner neural retina, where they are distributed in the nerve fiber, inner and outer plexiform layers ( Figure 3 B) [ 11 ]. However, the photoreceptor layer lacks retinal vessels and receives its nutrition by diffusion from choroidal blood vessels.…”

“…DR, a neurovascular complication, remains one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) has placed DR on the top list of eye conditions that should be treated [ 11 , 71 ]. The microvascular dysfunction in DR is characterized by apoptosis of retinal pericytes and endothelial cells, leading to BRB breakdown, capillary degeneration, and development of retinal ischemia.…”

“…The endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, are involved in reducing these ROS. Of note, ROS play an essential role in the retinal pathological processes of DR, including inflammation and angiogenesis [ 11 ].…”

Myrtenal Modulates the Immunoexpression of Cell Proliferative, Angiogenic and Invasive Markers in DMBA-Induced Hamster Oral Carcinogenesis

“…16,17 Angiogenesis has been reported in several pathological illnesses such as tumor growth, tumor metastasis, 18 rheumatoid arthritis, 19 myocardial ischemia 20 and diabetic retinopathy. 21 Invasion and metastasis are the major features of malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been considered as an important growth factor that plays vital role in normal and pathological angiogenesis.…”