Role of amyloid β in age - related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

ABSTRACT

·Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major irreversible blinding disease affecting in nearly 50 million individuals globally. The pathogenesis and prevention of AMD has become research focus for several years. Amyloid β ( Aβ ), formed by hydrolysis of the precursor protein, is synthesized and secreted in retinal ganglion cells ( RGCs ) and retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE ) monolayer. Normally, the formation and degradation of Aβ maintain a dynamic equilibrium. When the balance was damaged, Aβ can deposit in retina which not only constitute the main components of drusen but activate complement system and induce inflammation in local tissue. Here, we review the most recent findings supporting the hypothesis that Aβ could be a key factor in AMD which may offer a better understanding of disease mechanism and develop new strategies affecting the pathogenesis.