Neurovascular Interactions in the Retina: Physiological and Pathological Roles

Abstract

Abstract. Increasing evidence suggests that the complex interactions among multiple cell types including neuronal, glial, and vascular cells, are critical for maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow that is necessary for normal brain function and survival. The disturbance of these interactions contributes to the pathogenesis of central nervous system disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The retina is part of the central nervous system, and the properties of vasculature in the retina are similar to those in the brain. The interactions among multiple cell types in the retina also play an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, and the impairment of interactions can contribute to the onset and/or progression of retinal diseases. In this review, we describe the neurovascular interactions in the retina and alternations of interactions in pathological conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

RORα modulates semaphorin 3E transcription and neurovascular interaction in pathological retinal angiogenesis

“…Our findings indicate that RORa and SEMA3E are both localized in RGCs, which play a pivotal role in physiological and pathological retinal angiogenesis (5). In mice lacking RGCs, no retinal vascular network is developed (55).…”

“…Dysregulated crosstalk between the vasculature and retinal neurons is increasingly recognized as a major factor contributing to the pathogenesis of ocular vascular diseases (4)(5)(6). Among many neuron-derived growth factors and guidance cues, semaphorins (SEMAs) are critical regulators of angiogenesis during development and in diseases such as cancer and retinopathy.…”

The estrogenic retina: The potential contribution to healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases of the retina

“…Vasculature properties of the retina are similar to those of the brain [24]. The central retinal artery branches off at the optic disc to form arterioles, which lie on the retinal surface adjacent to the vitreous humor.…”

“…Intraretinal vascular endothelium constitutes the main component of the inner retinal-blood-barrier (iBRB; Fig.1). The lack of retinal autonomic innervation suggests that factors released locally from endothelial cells and surrounding retinal tissues are relevant for the regulation of blood flow [24,25]. Avascular areas located at the extreme retinal periphery and the outer retinal layer (ONL) containing the photoreceptors, also receive metabolic energy through the choroid, which is richly supplied from autonomic vasoactive nerves.…”

“…Avascular areas located at the extreme retinal periphery and the outer retinal layer (ONL) containing the photoreceptors, also receive metabolic energy through the choroid, which is richly supplied from autonomic vasoactive nerves. [24,[26][27]]. …”