New targets in diabetic retinopathy: addressing limitations of current treatments through the Sema3A/Nrp1 pathway.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of acquired blindness. Retinal non-perfusion (RNP) is associated with DR worsening and vision loss. There are no treatments available that specifically address RNP in DR. The semaphorin 3A (Sema3A)/neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) pathway may be involved in RNP progression in DR. In DR, capillary dropout leads to RNP, subsequent hypoxia and ischaemia. Upon chronic hypoxia, retinal cells produce various factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Sema3A. While VEGF promotes the growth of new vessels, elevated Sema3A forms a chemical barrier in the retina that directs new blood vessels away from the ischaemic retina. The imbalance of VEGF and Sema3A in DR is believed to dysregulate physiological revascularisation in the retina and may guid

SUBMITTER: Sivaprasad S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12669586 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature