Tsp-1+ microglia attenuate retinal neovascularization by maintaining the expression of Smad3 in endothelial cells through exosomes with decreased miR-27a-5p

Collectively, the Tsp-1/miR-27a-5p/Smad3 axis is involved in microglia-related and exosome-mediated antiangiogenic regulation of the retina. Therefore, this study reveals a novel mechanism by which retinal microglia maintain vascular homeostasis, thereby providing a new therapeutic target for pathological neovascularization.