Cellular Senescence in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Can Autophagy and DNA Damage Response Play a Role?

Figure 2

Cell death and autophagy in AMD progression. AMD affects the macula, a part in the central retina, and is associated with degradation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, photoreceptors, and choriocapillaris. Autophagy can be decisive in switching between programmed and nonprogrammed cell death mode. Apoptosis of RPE cells can be linked to blue light exposure (photooxidation), oxidative stress, accumulation of Alu transposons due to impaired functioning of the DICER1 endonuclease, and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Pyroptosis can also result from photooxidation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Oxidative stress and other factors can induce necroptosis, a programmed version of necrosis.