Abstract:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains the leading cause of vision impairment in patients with diabetes. Current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are limited by inadequate response in some patients and the necessity for repeated intravitreal injections, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), a multifunctional secreted protein, has emerged as a critical regulator in the pathogenesis and progression of DR, positioning it as a promising interventional target. This review systematically elaborates on the biological characteristics of ANGPTL4, with a focus on its expression dynamics, molecular mechanisms, and regulatory networks in the development of DR. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of ANGPTL4-targeted therapeutic strategies, aiming to offer new insights and directions for understanding DR pathogenesis, advancing multi-target drug development, and improving clinical management.
