Title:Genetics in Diabetic Retinopathy: Current Concepts and New Insights
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Author(s): Olga Simó-Servat, Cristina Hernández and Rafael Simó
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Diabetic retinopathy, Genetics, Genome-wide association studies, Linkage studies.
Abstract: There is emerging evidence which indicates the essential role of genetic factors in the development of diabetic
retinopathy (DR). In this regard it should be highlighted that genetic factors account for 25-50% of the risk of developing
DR. Therefore, the use of genetic analysis to identify those diabetic patients most prone to developing DR might be useful
in designing a more individualized treatment. In this regard, there are three main research strategies: candidate gene studies,
linkage studies and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). In the candidate gene approach, several genes encoding
proteins closely related to DR development have been analyzed. The linkage studies analyze shared alleles among
family members with DR under the assumption that these predispose to a more aggressive development of DR. Finally,
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are a new tool involving a massive evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNP) in large samples. In this review the available information using these three methodologies is critically analyzed.
A genetic approach in order to identify new candidates in the pathogenesis of DR would permit us to design more
targeted therapeutic strategies in order to decrease this devastating complication of diabetes. Basic researchers, ophthalmologists,
diabetologists and geneticists should work together in order to gain new insights into this issue.
