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Vascular pathology in diabetic retinopathy (DR) may arise from systemic inflammation

Research results reported by a Japanese team at the Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan, suggest that elevated systemic levels of TNF-alpha in diabetic retinopathy patients may provide a new rationale for understanding the ocular micro-vascular complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The research highlighted the important role of TNF-apha in diabetic retinopathy and suggested that early vascular pathology may arise from systemic inflammation. In addition, the research data identified potential therapeutic targets to modulate TNF-alpha’s effects, including inhibition of Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) signaling.