Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that destroys the macula (the central part of retina), severely regimenting a person's normal sight. Current treatments include photodynamic therapy and photocoagulation.

Etiology

The characterization of Ccl-2(-/-)- and Ccr-2(-/-)-knockout mice with features of AMD, coupled with a recently reported association of the gene encoding complement factor H with this disorder, suggests the involvement of macrophages and complement in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Animal models

 Ccl-2(-/-)- knockout mice
 Ccr-2(-/-)- knockout mice

Susceptibilty loci (#12945014#, #12900797#)

 1q31 (#15168325#)
 chromosome 2
 3p13 (#15168325#)
 4q32 (#15168325#)
 chromosome 6
 chromosome 8
 9q33
 10q26 (#16080115#)
 chromosome 12
 chromosome 16
 17q25 (#15168325#)
 chromosome 22
 chromosome X

References

 Anand A, Prabhakar S, Ambeti J. Molecular basis of AMD: current concepts and recent advances. Trends Mol Med. 2005 Jun 14; PMID: #15963761#

 Tezel TH, Bora NS, Kaplan HJ. Pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. Trends Mol Med. 2004 Sep;10(9):417-20. PMID: #15350892#

 Stone EM, Sheffield VC, Hageman GS. Molecular genetics of age-related macular degeneration. Hum Mol Genet. 2001 Oct 1;10(20):2285-92. PMID: #11673412#