3D electron microscopy reveals novel ultrastructural changes in the diabetic retinal neurovascular unit
Authors' conclusion
This study provides new insights into the early ultrastructural changes in the retinal NVU in DRD, offering a basis for a better understanding of the pathological processes that contribute to the development of this disease.
Study context
- Population
- Retinas from male diabetic and non-diabetic mice and human male donors with and without diabetes; capillaries of the superficial vascular plexus
- Comparison
- Diabetic vs non-diabetic retinas
- Outcome
- 3D ultrastructural changes in the retinal neurovascular unit (NVU), diabetic vs non-diabetic
Methodological detailsserial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), 3D reconstruction, mouse and human retinas
- Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM)
- 3D reconstruction
- Mouse and human retinas
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Partial detachment and reduced frequency of pericyte-endothelium peg-and-socket formations
- p<0.05-0.001
- Localised detachment of endothelial cells and pericytes from the vascular BM
- p<0.05-0.01
- Increased formation of endothelial tubules
- p<0.01-0.001
Original publication
3D electron microscopy reveals novel ultrastructural changes in the diabetic retinal neurovascular unit. Diabetologia. Published 2 October 2025. doi:10.
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