The Role of Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding eye disease which incidence gradually increases with age. Inflammation participates in AMD pathogenesis, including choroidal neovascularization and geographic atrophy. It is also a kind of self-protective regulation from injury for the eyes. In this review, we described inflammation in AMD pathogenesis, summarized the roles played by inflammation-related cytokines, including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as leukocytes (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes) in the innate or adaptive immunity in AMD. Possible clinical applications such as potential diagnostic biomarkers and anti-inflammatory therapies were also discussed. This review overviews the inflammation as a target of novel effective therapies in treating AMD.

Evaluation of retinal pigment epithelium changes in serous pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration

“…These angiography imaging techniques might provide additional information about RPE changes 18 , 35 . Fourth, the detection of intraretinal RPE changes in the present study, based on the presence of melanin and lipofuscin, was limited by the possible presence of infiltrating inflammatory cells 36 . If inflammatory cells ingested melanosomes and lipofuscin from disintegrating RPE cells, our imaging system might have misidentified those inflammatory cells as RPE cells.…”

Exacerbation of AMD Phenotype in Lasered CNV Murine Model by Dysbiotic Oral Pathogens

“…In wet AMD, the injured RPE cells have been found with augmented expression of IL-8 in addition to VEGF and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 which attract monocytes from the choriocapillaris resulting in the breakdown of the blood–retina barrier and angiogenesis [ 107 ]. The activation of STAT3 by IL-6 receptor, a key mediator in subretinal fibrosis, promotes CNV and the levels of IL-6 is correlated with the size and activity of CNV in AMD patients [ 108 , 109 ]. Studies showed that dysbiosis of gut leads to increased intestinal permeability and a chronic low-grade inflammation characteristic of inflammaging, with elevated levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and VEGF-A leading to exacerbation of pathological angiogenesis [ 108 , 110 , 111 ].…”

“…The activation of STAT3 by IL-6 receptor, a key mediator in subretinal fibrosis, promotes CNV and the levels of IL-6 is correlated with the size and activity of CNV in AMD patients [ 108 , 109 ]. Studies showed that dysbiosis of gut leads to increased intestinal permeability and a chronic low-grade inflammation characteristic of inflammaging, with elevated levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and VEGF-A leading to exacerbation of pathological angiogenesis [ 108 , 110 , 111 ]. Moreover, oxidative stress may also up-regulate VEGF expression in the retina and induce CNV.…”

Non-Oncologic Applications of Nanomedicine-Based Phototherapy

“…Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic structural change in the macular area under multifactorial interaction of metabolism, functions, genetics, and the environment [ 140 ]. The most common cause of vision loss is the development of choroidal neovascularization, which is a common type of AMD [ 141 ].…”