Oxidative Stress as the Main Target in Diabetic Retinopathy Pathophysiology

Figure 4

The ROS role in autophagy. ROS upregulate MMP9 and MMP2 that leads to mitochondrial membrane potential impairment. When a mithochondrion malfunctions, autophagy (mitophagy) is activated, though in high stress conditions, caspases inactivate mitophagy and activate apoptosis pathways.