Vitreous Humor Proteome: Targeting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Neurodegeneration in Vitreoretinal Diseases

Abstract

Oxidative stress is defined as an unbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants, as evidenced by an increase in reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species production over time. It is important in the pathophysiology of retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy, which are the focus of this article. Although the human organism's defense mechanisms correct autoxidation caused by endogenous or exogenous factors, this may be insufficient, causing an imbalance in favor of excessive ROS production or a weakening of the endogenous antioxidant system, resulting in molecular and cellular damage. Furthermore, modern lifestyles and environmental factors contribute to increased chemical exposure and stress induction, resulting in oxidative stress. In this review, we discuss the current information about oxidative stress and the vitreous proteome with a special focus on vitreoretinal diseases. Additionally, we explore therapies using antioxidants in an attempt to rescue the body from oxidation, restore balance, and maximize healthy body function, as well as new investigational therapies that have shown significant therapeutic potential in preclinical studies and clinical trial outcomes, along with their goals and strategic approaches to combat oxidative stress.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; inflammation; neurodegeneration; oxidative stress; proliferative diabetic retinopathy; proliferative vitreoretinopathy; vitreous proteomics.

Figure 1

Protein–protein interaction network of the proteins related to oxidative stress found differentially expressed in vitreous collected from patients with DR and proliferative DR (PDR). The network was predicted using STRING 11.5 based on high confidence interaction score and clustered using the Markov Cluster algorithm clustering (inflation parameter: 3).

Figure 2

Protein–protein interaction network of the proteins related to oxidative stress found differentially expressed in vitreous collected from patients with age-related macular degeneration. The network was predicted using STRING 11.5 based on medium confidence interaction.

Figure 3

Protein–protein interaction network of the proteins related to oxidative stress found differentially expressed in vitreous from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The network was predicted using STRING 11.5 based on high confidence interaction score and clustered using the Markov Cluster algorithm clustering (inflation parameter: 3).