Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this devastating ocular complication. The early stage of diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the loss of various cell types in the retina, namely endothelial cells and pericytes. As the disease progresses, vascular leakage, a clinical hallmark of diabetic retinopathy, becomes evident and may eventually lead to diabetic macular edema, the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy. Substantial evidence indicates that the disruption of connexin-mediated cellular communication plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Yet, it is unclear how altered communication via connexin channel mediated cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular microenvironment is linked to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Recent observations suggest the possibility that connexin hemichannels may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy by allowing communication between cells and the microenvironment. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that connexin channels may be involved in regulating retinal vascular permeability. These cellular events are coordinated at least in part via connexin-mediated intercellular communication and the maintenance of retinal vascular homeostasis. This review highlights the effect of high glucose and diabetic condition on connexin channels and their impact on the development of diabetic retinopathy.

糖尿病性视网膜病是劳动年龄人群失明的主要原因。不幸的是，无法治愈这种破坏性的眼部并发症。糖尿病性视网膜病的早期特征在于视网膜中各种细胞类型的丧失，即内皮细胞和周细胞的丧失。随着疾病的进展，血管渗漏（糖尿病性视网膜病的临床特征）变得很明显，并可能最终导致糖尿病性黄斑水肿，这是糖尿病性视网膜病中视力丧失的最常见原因。大量证据表明，连接蛋白介导的细胞通讯的破坏在糖尿病性视网膜病的发病机理中起着至关重要的作用。然而，尚不清楚通过连接蛋白通道介导的细胞间和细胞间外微环境改变的通讯与糖尿病性视网膜病的发展如何相关。最近的观察表明，连接蛋白半通道可能通过允许细胞与微环境之间的通讯而在糖尿病性视网膜病的发病机理中发挥作用。有趣的是，最近的研究表明连接蛋白通道可能参与调节视网膜血管通透性。这些细胞事件至少部分通过连接蛋白介导的细胞间通讯和视网膜血管稳态的维持来协调。这篇综述强调了高糖和糖尿病状况对连接蛋白通道的影响及其对糖尿病性视网膜病发展的影响。最近的观察表明，连接蛋白半通道可能通过允许细胞与微环境之间的通讯而在糖尿病性视网膜病的发病机理中发挥作用。有趣的是，最近的研究表明连接蛋白通道可能参与调节视网膜血管通透性。这些细胞事件至少部分通过连接蛋白介导的细胞间通讯和视网膜血管稳态的维持来协调。这篇综述强调了高糖和糖尿病状况对连接蛋白通道的影响及其对糖尿病性视网膜病发展的影响。最近的观察表明，连接蛋白半通道可能通过允许细胞与微环境之间的通讯而在糖尿病性视网膜病的发病机理中发挥作用。有趣的是，最近的研究表明连接蛋白通道可能参与调节视网膜血管通透性。这些细胞事件至少部分通过连接蛋白介导的细胞间通讯和视网膜血管稳态的维持来协调。这篇综述强调了高糖和糖尿病状况对连接蛋白通道的影响及其对糖尿病性视网膜病发展的影响。最近的研究表明连接蛋白通道可能参与调节视网膜血管通透性。这些细胞事件至少部分通过连接蛋白介导的细胞间通讯和视网膜血管稳态的维持来协调。这篇综述强调了高糖和糖尿病状况对连接蛋白通道的影响及其对糖尿病性视网膜病发展的影响。最近的研究表明连接蛋白通道可能参与调节视网膜血管通透性。这些细胞事件至少部分通过连接蛋白介导的细胞间通讯和视网膜血管稳态的维持来协调。这篇综述强调了高糖和糖尿病状况对连接蛋白通道的影响及其对糖尿病性视网膜病发展的影响。