Interactions between the immune system and vasoactive factors in neovascular retinopathy

The neovascular retinopathies, retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, are major causes of vision impairment and blindness in preterm babies and the diabetic population, respectively. Current treatments such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, although effective, do not prevent the recurrence of the disease. This suggests that other unknown mechanisms are involved. There is evidence that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, through the actions of angiotensin II and aldosterone have a causal role in neovascular retinopathies. This thesis investigates how inhibition of the mineralocorticoid receptor influences neovascular retinopathy via interactions with the adaptive immune system (Foxp3+ T regulatory cells) and the innate immune system (microglia).