Oxidative Stress as the Main Target in Diabetic Retinopathy Pathophysiology

Figure 3

The ROS role in inflammation and pyroptosis. ROS augments NF-κB production which promotes proinflammatory mediators favoring the expression of VEGF. VEGF translocates NF-κB into the nucleus, and NF-κB activate NLRP3 with caspase cleavage leading to cytokine release. NLRP3 inflammasome has been associated to diabetic retinopathy by Müller pyroptosis by the caspase-1/IL-1beta pathway. NF-κB: nuclear factor kappa B; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor.