Kir4.1 may represent a novel therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy (Review)

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Kir4.1 may represent a novel therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy (Review) Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):1021. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10453. Epub 2021 Jul 15. ABSTRACT As the major cause of irreversible loss of vision in adults, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. The imbalance of the retinal microenvironment and destruction of the blood-retinal barrier have a significant role in the progression of DR. Inward rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) is located on Müller cells and is closely related to potassium homeostasis, water balance and glutamate clearance in the whole retina. The present review discusses the functions of Kir4.1 in regulating the retinal microenvironment and related biological mechanisms in DR. In the future, Kir4.1 may represent a novel alternative therapeutic target for DR through affecting the retinal microenvironment. PMID:34373707 | PMC:PMC8343704 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10453 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.