ST. LOUIS, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they believe macrophages cells involved in immune responses may play a crucial role in age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. Rajendra Apte and colleagues at the Washington University School of Medicine used a mouse model of choroidal neovascularization -- new vessel formation, or CNV -- which is an important part of AMD. They showed preventing macrophage entry into the eye encouraged new vessel formation, whereas direct injection of macrophages significantly inhibited that process.
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people older than 50 years of age on at least three continents.
CNV is the process by which abnormal blood vessels develop under the retina. CNV develops in 10 percent of patients with AMD, but accounts for up to 90 percent of the resulting blindness.
The researchers say their study suggests regulators of macrophages may be a possible therapeutic target in AMD.
The study appears in the journal PLoS Medicine.
