New Molecular Perspectives on Diabetic Retinopathy
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editors
Interests: diabetic retinopathy; diabetic macular edema; prevention; retinopathy screening; treatment
2. Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: diabetes type 1; diabetes type 2; metabolic syndrome; diabetic nephropathy; diabetic retinopathy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Despite numerous efforts and the development of new therapeutic options, the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, with projections indicating that it will affect 700 million people by 2045. In parallel, there is a growing trend in the prevalence of its chronic complications, which contribute significantly to disability, morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare system costs.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a microvascular complication affecting individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, remains the leading cause of preventable blindness among working-age adults worldwide. To reduce the risk of DR, optimal glycemic control is crucial, alongside the management of other key risk factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
However, current research increasingly focuses on the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways involved in the development and progression of DR. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), polyol pathway flux, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), protein kinase C activation, endothelin-1, oxidative stress, diacylglycerol pathway, aldose reductase, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and the renin–angiotensin system.
A deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of the diabetic retina has already led to new therapeutic strategies. However, to further reduce the risk of visual impairment and blindness associated with DR, continued exploration of new molecular perspectives is essential.
In light of this, this Special Issue invites submissions that focus on novel molecular insights into DR. Advancing our understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of this debilitating microvascular complication is critical to improving outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes.
Dr. Martina Tomić
Dr. Tomislav Bulum
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- diabetic retinopathy
- diabetes
- complications
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- retina
- biomarkers
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