Circ_0000615 promotes high glucose-induced human retinal pigment epithelium cell apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress via miR-646/YAP1 axis in diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, is the major cause of visual impairment and blindness. Circ_0000615 was found to be elevated in retina samples of diabetic patients. Hence, the detailed effects and molecular mechanisms of circ_0000615 in DN progression were explored.