Pharmacological blockade of the P2X7 receptor reverses retinal damage in a rat model of type 1 diabetes

Aims Retinopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment in diabetes. Its pathogenesis involves inflammation, pathological angiogenesis, neuronal and glial dysfunction. The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has a leading role in inflammation and angiogenesis. Potent and selective P2X7R blockers have been synthesized and tested in Phase I/II clinical studies. We hypothesize that P2X7R blockade will ameliorate diabetes-related pathological retinal changes.