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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Prog Retin Eye Res. 2021 Jan 8;84:100940. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100940

Figure 3. Microglial activation during progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Figure 3.

The quiescent microglia observed in normal physiology is ramified in form and initially responds by becoming activated and transforming into an amoeboid state. During this appropriate response to diabetes, activated microglia secrete increasing amounts of neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory mediators and help preserve the state of no diabetic retinopathy. Over time and in absence of resolution of the unbalanced environment, the population of M2 appropriately active microglia shifts to a more M1 disease amplifying state, which participates in the progression of DR.