Role of intercellular communication involving microglia in retinal neurovascular unit

The retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) is an interdependent system comprising neurons, glial cells (macroglia and microglia), and the vascular structure, entrusted with the preservation of retinal homeostasis.It plays a key role in eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.Cell communication forms a pivotal conduit for interaction within the NVU, encompassing both direct communication predominantly through gap junctions and cell surface receptors, as well as indirect communication via secreted intercellular soluble factors.As resident immune cells in the retina, microglia orchestrate activities between neural and vascular tissues through intercellular communication to maintain physiological and pathological functions of the retina.This review explores the multiple impact of retinal microglia on retinal ganglion cells, the inflammatory positive feedback loop involving retinal microglia and Müller cells, the modulation of angiogenesis, capillary constriction/dilation, and the role of microglia in maintaining the blood-retinal barrier within the retina in concert with pericytes.The potential influence of microglia within the neurovascular unit is also investigated.

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