NFE2L2 and diabetic retinopathy: Our recent studies have documented an antioxidant defense role of LncMALAT1 in diabetic retinopathy; via affecting the interactions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its intracellular inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, LncMALAT1 upregulation suppresses transcriptional activity of Nrf2, and this impairs the transcription of antioxidant defense genes, such as heme oxygenase 1 and superoxide dismutase (91).