Figure 2.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). EVs can be classified into three different types depending on their size and biogenesis—exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Hyperglycemia leads to the increase of EVs released from donor cells. These EVs, derived from other retinal cells or from circulation, can interact with recipient/target retinal cells contributing, along with chronic hyperglycemia, to oxidative stress and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. These mechanisms may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction leading to retinal cell death.