Oxidative Stress as the Main Target in Diabetic Retinopathy Pathophysiology

Figure 5

The ROS role in neurodegeneration. In physiological conditions, NGF activates VEGF to promote angiogenesis and protect nerves from hypoxia and ROS inhibits NGF formation from its precursor which leads to neural apoptosis. ROS activate ZNRF1 that provokes neurodegeneration; at the same time, TNF-α activates apoptosis via metalloproteinase/caspase pathway. ZNRF1: zinc and ring finger-1; NGF: nerve growth factor; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; MMP: matrix metalloproteinases; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α.