Neurovasculoglial cross-talk underlying breakdown of the neurovascular unit is a central, yet poorly understood, component of many neurodegenerative disorders of the CNS, including retinal disease. Primary fatty acid amides have been identified to regulate this cross-talk between vasculature and neuronal tissues, but specific molecules and mechanisms remain unresolved. Here we show, using an unbiased high-resolution metabolomics screen, that erucamide, a 22:1 monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid amide, is highly dysregulated during photoreceptor degeneration in mice. In vivo delivery of erucamide using organosilane-modified porous silicon nanoparticles activated retinal myeloid cells, leading to the upregulation of angiogenic and neurotrophic cytokines that limited vascular and neuronal degeneration. We identified TMEM19 as a binding protein for erucamide that is crucial for myeloid cell activation and subsequent neuroprotection. These findings reveal a previously unknown primary fatty acid amide pathway that modulates neuroimmune interactions during retinal degenerative diseases. We propose erucamide and analogs as candidate therapeutics.

To assess the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in northern Xinjiang. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed on patients above 20 years old who were enrolled in chronic diabetes management in six areas of northern Xinjiang. All subjects received a standardized questionnaire interview of baseline characteristics. Fundus photographs were captured and reviewed by optometrists and ophthalmologists using DR grading software to determine the diagnosis and severity of DR according to the UK guidelines. A total of 3253 patients with diabetes were surveyed, among whom 2972 subjects with graded fundus photographs. The age-standardized prevalence of DR was 17.9% and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) was 8.7%. In the binary logistic regression model, younger age, male gender, longer duration of diabetes, higher fasting blood glucose, hypertension, and treatment methods (insulin use compared to diet only) were independent risk factors for DR. These risk factors were associated with VTDR except the male gender. The prevalence of DR and VTDR in diabetic patients in northern Xinjiang was 17.9% and 8.7%, respectively. The younger age, male gender, higher fasting blood glucose, hypertension, and insulin use were the main risk factors for DR.

A female toddler clinically diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) was referred by the treating paediatrician, with acute-onset painless diminution of vision for 3 days. She had papulomacular skin rashes and was unable to follow the light stimulus at presentation. On fundus evaluation, bilateral asymmetrical (left eye more severe than the right eye) multifocal full-thickness necrotising retinitis, occlusive haemorrhagic retinal vasculitis, optic disc pallor and left eye exudative retinal detachment (eRD) were noted. Due to the background of HFMD and unexpected prompt response of intravitreal and systemic corticosteroids, a preliminary diagnosis of bilateral presumed enterovirus-associated retinopathy was established. The patient showed a favourable response to a weekly taper of oral steroids for the next 3 months. The retinitis, vasculitis and eRD were resolved with widespread retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy.HFMD with retinopathy secondary to presumed enterovirus infection, though rare, can present with extensive RPE and optic disc atrophy despite administration of oral corticosteroids.

Claudin-1, a transmembrane protein integral to tight junctions, is indispensable for paracellular barrier formation and the establishment and maintenance of cellular polarity. In the eye, claudin-1 exhibits tissue-specific expression in critical structures such as the cornea and retina, where it contributes fundamentally to corneal transparency, blood-retinal barrier integrity, and retinal homeostasis. This review comprehensively synthesizes current knowledge on the spatial distribution and physiological roles of claudin-1 across ocular tissues. We critically evaluate recent mechanistic and translational advances implicating claudin-1 dysregulation in a spectrum of ocular pathologies: anterior segment disorders (dry eye disease, pterygium, infectious keratitis, and gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy), retinal diseases (diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, and retinoblastoma), and other conditions (uveitis, glaucoma, post-cataract macular edema, and cataract). Finally, we assess the emerging therapeutic potential of claudin-1-both as a molecular target for barrier modulation and as a facilitator of paracellular drug delivery in ophthalmology.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a significant public health burden and public health emergency in the world, underscoring the importance of early and easily accessible cardiovascular risk prediction strategies. While systemic clinical and biochemical markers have been the mainstay of traditional risk assessment models, there is growing evidence that microvascular dysfunction is an early marker of vascular injury that is present prior to the onset of overt cardiovascular disease. The retinal microvasculature offers a unique non-invasive window into systemic vascular health, given its structural and physiological similarities with the coronary and cerebral circulation. Microvascular retinal changes such as changes in vascular caliber, tortuosity, branching and patterns of perfusion, are associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Advanced retinal imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) also allow to analyse the architecture of retinal vessels and microcirculatory function in detail. In addition, emerging molecular evidence shows shared pathways of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system, that link retinal vascular remodeling to cardiovascular pathology. Over the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) has dramatically increased the capability of retinal imaging for translation, leading to automated acquisition of high dimensional vascular features and prediction of cardiovascular risk from retinal photographs. Retinal imaging biomarkers could complement clinical and molecular parameters to enhance risk stratification for cardiovascular disease in an individual basis. Overall, retinal microvascular phenotyping is a promising tool for early cardiovascular risk assessment, scalable, and non-invasive, and could play a role in future precision cardiology and preventive cardiovascular care strategies.