FIGURE 2.

Autophagy regulation in GO pathogenesis. The underlying mechanisms of GO has been linked to inflammation, adipogenesis, and GAG accumulation in OFs, and finally lead to enlarged extraocular muscles with orbital fat expansion. Elevated secretion of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and INF-γ is associated with the induction of autophagy in OFs of GO. Progression of OFs adipogenesis can be mitigated by inhibition of autophagy. Furthermore, lysosomal inhibitors can reduce GAG accumulation through blocking the autophagic flux of OFs in GO. TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL-1β, interleukin-1 beta; INF-γ, interferon-gamma.