Contribution of Muller Cells in the Diabetic Retinopathy Development: Focus on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Diabetic retinopathy is a neurovascular complication of diabetes and the main cause of vision loss in adults. Glial cells have a key role in maintenance of central nervous system homeostasis. In the retina, the predominant element is the Muller cell, a specialized cell with radial morphology that spans all retinal layers and influences the function of the entire retinal circuitry. Muller cells provide metabolic support, regulation of extracellular composition, synaptic activity control, structural organization of the blood-retina barrier, antioxidant activity, and trophic support, among other roles. Therefore, impairments of Muller actions lead to retinal malfunctions. Accordingly, increasing evidence indicates that Muller cells are affected in diabetic retinopathy and may contribute to the severity of the disease. Here, we will survey recently described alterations in Muller cell functions and cellular events that contribute to diabetic retinopathy, especially related to oxidative stress and inflammation. This review sheds light on Muller cells as potential therapeutic targets of this disease.