Abstract:

Retinal vascular diseases are a kind of blindness-caused diseases which etiology and pathogenesis are complex and not yet clear. Its main pathophysiological feature is retinal neovascularization. A large number of basic researches and clinical evidences confirm that macrophages (MФ) and their subtypes play an important role in retinal neovascularization. Macrophages can be divided into two classes: M1-polarized phenotype and M2-polarizedmacrophages (‘classically activated, pro-inflammatory’ and ‘alternatively activated, immunosuppressive’), and M2 macrophages can be subdivided into three types according to different stimulus signals and functions: M2a, M2b, M2c. However, the role of distinct subtypes of macrophages in the development of retinal neovascularization remains controversial. Therefore, it is crucial for the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of retinal neovascularization to clarify the specific role of different subtypes of macrophages. This review mainly summarizes different roles of macrophages and its subtypes in retinal neovascularization. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2018, 42: 119-124)