Contribution of Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation to Retinal Degenerative Diseases

Figure 3

Relationships between microglial activation and neuronal cell death. In response to changes in the environment, microglia change to a more reactive phenotype, characterized by alterations in cell morphology, gene expression and proinflammatory mediators release. The sustained release of inflammatory factors perpetuates the neuroinflammatory process further activating microglia, which release proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors, contributing to neuronal dysfunction and to pathology.