Pericyte and Vascular Smooth Muscle Death in Diabetic Retinopathy Involves Autophagy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of diabetes and a major cause vision loss worldwide. The premature death microvascular mural cells represents both pathological hallmark vasodegeneration in DR basis for therapeutic intervention to halt progression sight-threatening stages. Recent studies suggest that retinal cells, classed as pericytes capillaries vascular smooth muscle larger vessels (VSMC), may undergo autophagy-dependent cell during DR. present investigation was undertaken assess electron microscopic evidence involvement autophagy mediation vasculature, eyes from human diabetic donors dogs. All specimens examined showed widespread autophagosomes processes viable VSMCs, membranous remnants excessive autophagic activity their “ghost cell” within walls. Autophagy termed “excessive” when it occupied greater part cytoplasm processes. This notable short-term with no basement-membrane thickening or loss, which regions filled bodies appeared be undergoing cytoplasmic cleavage. No equivalent detected adjacent endothelial vessels. We conclude increased VSMCs linked milieu, over time also act trigger progressive vasodegeneration.