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.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; cytokine; inflammation; leukocyte.

Figure 1

Links between Th cells and macrophages by cytokines in inflammation of AMD. Inflammation includes pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, etc.) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-β, etc.).

Figure 2

Inflammation plays role in the pathogenesis of AMD. Innate immune cells (macrophages, DCs, Neutrophils) can stimulate adaptive immune cells (B cells and T cells), and participate in CNV pathogenesis. Cytokines, include IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, etc, have angiogenic property. Cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-12, IFN-β, inhibit angiogenesis. In the late stage of AMD, photoreceptor cells are gradually damaged.