Beyond VEGF – Other Factors Important in Retinal Neovascularization: Potential Targets in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinal neovascularization (NV), or the formation of new blood vessels in the retina, is a leading cause of blindness in diabetics. Research advances have shed great insights into molecules that play an important role in retinal neovascularization, suggesting potential targets for therapeutic manipulation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well-recognized as a major stimulus in retinal N V, and therapies directed against VEGF are currently being developed and used. However, a greater understanding of additional molecules regulating retinal NV has emerged. This chapter will review these molecules and discuss their potential importance to retinal neovascularization in diabetes. This discussion will include additional pro-angiogenic growth factors, extracellular proteinases, integrins, and endogenous inhibitors of neovascularization. The development of therapeutic strategies targeting these molecules may result in additional treatments for retinal neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy.