Extracellular Vesicles, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondria: Impact on Retinal Diseases

Francisco J. Romero

Hospital General de Requena, Spain

Prof. Fracisco J. Romero from Hospital General de Requena, Spain will talk about "Extracellular Vesicles, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondria: Impact on Retinal Diseases" to the Second World Congress on Targeting EVs, wich will be held on October 15-16, 2025, in Valencia, Spain.

About Professor Francisco J. Romero

Professor Romero has a long-standing and prolific research career spanning several decades. His work primarily revolves around oxidative stress, neuroprotection, retinal diseases, and more recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs).

In recent years, he has contributed to understanding how small extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular communication and modulate retinal pathophysiology. These studies highlight how EVs are affected by oxidative stress and may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic vehicles in retinal diseases.
 
Mitochondria are frequently discussed by Professor Romero as sources of ROS and central players in cell death and degeneration in the context of neuro-ocular disorders.
 
Professor Romero has worked with multidisciplinary teams including ophthalmologists, neuroscientists, and molecular biologists. His research often bridges basic science and clinical applications.
 
Summary
 
Retinal degenerative diseases (RDDs), such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, are driven by complex interactions between oxidative stress, inflammation, and intercellular communication. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), as critical mediators of cell-to-cell signaling, are increasingly recognized for their role in modulating retinal homeostasis and pathology under oxidative stress conditions.
 
EVs are central to the oxidative stress response in the retina and may influence disease trajectory.
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to oxidative sEV signaling.
  • sEV profiling holds promise for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in RDDs.
Professor Romero will dicuss the interplay between oxidative stress and sEV biology opens new avenues for understanding and treating retinal degenerative diseases. Targeting sEV pathways may offer innovative approaches to combat vision loss in aging and metabolic disorders.