4-Acetoxyphenol Prevents RPE Oxidative Stress-Induced Necrosis by Functioning as an NRF2 Stabilizer.

Purpose: Oxidative stress has been suggested to be a major risk factor for the pathogenesis of AMD. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the retina, and RPE cell death and the resultant photoreceptor apoptosis have been observed in dry AMD, especially in geographic atrophy. The purpose of this article was to identify and repurpose the Food and Drug Administration-approved natural compound 4-Acetoxyphenol (4-AC), and to evaluate its effect and mechanism in protecting against oxidative stress-induced RPE necrosis.