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Review
. 2023 Feb 28;3(2):93-100.
doi: 10.1016/j.aopr.2023.02.001. eCollection 2023 May-Jun.

Research progress of iron metabolism in retinal diseases

Cunzi Li  1 , Chunyu Xiao  1 , Hui Tao  1 , Xianling Tang  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Research progress of iron metabolism in retinal diseases

Cunzi Li et al. Adv Ophthalmol Pract Res. .

Abstract

Background: Retinal diseases can lead to severe visual impairment and even blindness, but current treatments are limited. For precise targeted therapy, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the diseases still need to be further explored. Iron serves an essential role in many biological activities and helps maintain the function and morphology of the retina. The vision problems caused by retinal diseases are affecting more and more people, the study of iron metabolism in retinal diseases possesses great potential for clinical application.

Main text: Iron maintains a dynamic balance in the retina but in excess is toxic to the retina. Iron overload can lead to various pathological changes in the retina through oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, angiogenesis and other pathways. It is therefore involved in the progression of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and hereditary iron overload. In recent years, iron chelators have been shown to be effective in the treatment of retinal diseases, but the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood. This question prompted further investigation into the specific mechanisms by which iron metabolism is involved in retinal disease.

Conclusions: This review summarizes iron metabolism processes in the retina and mechanistic studies of iron metabolism in the progression of retinal disease. It also highlights the therapeutic potential of iron chelators in retinal diseases.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Diabetic retinopathy; Glaucoma; Hereditary iron overload; Iron metabolism; Retina; Retinitis pigmentosa.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Iron metabolisim in the retina. Iron in the retina is supplied by two vascular systems, the choroid and the retina, and imports are mediated by two forms, TBI and NTBI. Iron flows between cells and is distributed in various layers of cells to meet the physiological function of each cell, and unutilized iron will be stored in the cell or be exported.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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