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Review
. 2009 Apr;23(4):747-55.
doi: 10.1038/eye.2008.206. Epub 2008 Jul 4.

Macrophages in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: friends or foes?

J M Skeie  1 , R F Mullins
Affiliations
Review

Macrophages in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: friends or foes?

J M Skeie et al. Eye (Lond). 2009 Apr.

Abstract

The events that lead to choroidal neovascularization in eyes with age-related macular degeneration are poorly understood. One possibility that has been explored in a number of studies is that macrophages can promote neovascular changes. In this paper, we summarize the evidence for inflammation in general and macrophages in particular in pathologic neovascularization, and discuss how the diverse functions of these cells may promote or inhibit macular disease. We also discuss some of the conflicting findings regarding the role of macrophages in experimental choroidal neovascularization in mouse models, and suggest areas for future research.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Simplified model of leukocyte differentiation.
Bone marrow hemocytoblasts (HB), which may already be specialized in some cases, give rise to progenitor cells including lymphoblasts (LB), progranulocytes (PG), and monoblasts (MB). These cells then differentiate into lymphocytes (LC) or arguably lymphoid dendritic cells (LDC), different classes of granulocytes (GC), and monocytes (MC), respectively. Circulating monocytes leave the vasculature and differentiate into myeloid dendritic cells (MDC) and macrophages (MΦ), based on microenvironmental cues.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Leukocyte localization in human eyes.
Leukocytes localized in the normal human choroid of an 84 year old donor (top panel) and in an eye from an 80 year old donor with choroidal neovascularization (lower panel). Sections were labeled with antibodies directed against leukocyte common antigen, a protein expressed in all classes of leukocytes (CD45; green labeling) and with the lectin Ulex europeaus agglutinin-I to visualize the vasculature (red labeling)(85). Nuclei are counterstained blue with DAPI. Yellow-orange fluorescence is due to RPE lipofuscin. Choroidal leukocytes are indicated by arrowheads, leukocytes within the CNVM are indicated by arrows, and the CNVM is indicated by the bracket. GCL, ganglion cell layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; CHO, choroid. Scale bar = 100μm.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Potential harmful (left) and beneficial (right) roles of macrophages in the progression of neovascular AMD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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