VEGF Rescues Cigarette Smoking–Induced Human RPE Cell Death by Increasing Autophagic Flux: Implications of the Role of Autophagy in Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Cigarette smoking extract, similar to HP, affects cell viability and induces expression of VEGF and its receptors. Increased autophagic flux accelerated by treatment of exogenous VEGF may have a role in rescuing CSE-induced RPE cell death.