Abstract
Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world. To prevent what will certainly be a tremendous health and economic burden, effective therapeutics for AMD are urgently needed. To develop these agents in a timely fashion, the molecular pathways that cause disease progression must be elucidated. Objective: To briefly describe the clinical features of AMD, and review the current understanding of the molecular basis of AMD. Methods: A literature review. Results: The discussion will primarily focus on the interplay of oxidative stress and complement dysregulation and the resulting chronic proinflammatory state thought to be central in AMD pathogenesis. Conclusions: Oxidative stress and complement dysregulation play a substantive role in the development of AMD.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 297-306 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Gerontology |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2013 |
Keywords
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Aging
- Complement
- Innate immunity
- Oxidation-specific epitopes
- Oxidative stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aging
- Geriatrics and Gerontology