Role of MMP-9 in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a common neurovascular complication of diabetic that strike a third of diabetic patients worldwide. Complex mechanism of biomolecules including enzyme and cytokines is related to oxidative stress of constant hyperglycaemia. Vascular permeability damage resulting from endothelial leakage and apoptosis of Muller cell is the main mechanism of retinal damage.  MMPs as endopeptidases have an important role in angiogenesis process of retinopathy by working with various molecules of growth factors, chemokines, cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. MMP-9 has been widely shown to be associated with inflammation, blood-retinal barrier disruption, cell apoptosis and neovascularization in the diabetic retinopathy pathomechanism. Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; MMP; MMP-9; Blood-retinal barrie