Researchers at UCL have found a protein that starts the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease happens when high blood sugar hurts the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
Diabetic retinopathy is a major reason why adults lose their sight. The new study was done with mice and was supported by Diabetes UK, Moorfields Eye Charity, and Wellcome.
LRG1 Protein Sparks Early Eye Damage
The scientists discovered that a protein called LRG1 makes the cells around the smallest eye vessels tighten too much. When the vessels are squeezed, less oxygen reaches the retina. This starts a chain reaction that can end in long‑term vision loss.
When the team blocked LRG1 in diabetic mice, the early damage did not happen and the eyes kept working normally.
Why Current Treatments Fall Short
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes often receive treatment only after they notice blurry or warped vision. By then, permanent damage may already exist.
Most existing drugs target another protein called VEGF. Those medicines help only about half of patients and cannot reverse the damage that’s already there.
LRG1 appears to act earlier than VEGF, so stopping it could protect the eye before serious harm begins.
Potential New Drug for Diabetic Eye Disease
Dr. Faye Riley from Diabetes UK said that nearly one‑third of adults with diabetes show signs of retinopathy. Finding the cause of early damage gives hope for a new way to keep sight safe.
The UCL team has already created a drug that blocks LRG1. It has passed early tests and is now in more detailed pre‑clinical studies. The researchers hope to start human trials soon.
If successful, the treatment could stop diabetic retinopathy from developing at all. It might also help people whose disease is already advanced, because LRG1 continues to cause damage later on.
Years of Work Lead to This Discovery
The findings build on many years of research at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, where scientists have been studying how LRG1 contributes to eye problems.
Hope for Millions with Diabetes
Dr. Ailish Murray of Moorfields Eye Charity explained that early retinopathy is hard to spot, leaving many with irreversible damage. This breakthrough offers a clear next step toward preventing that loss.
Morag Foreman from Wellcome added that the work shows how early‑stage science can lead to real medical advances.