Features that distinguish age-related macular degeneration from aging.

Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, Silvia C Finnemann, Maria B Grant, Katherine Held, Zhengping Hu, Yuancheng Ryan Lu, Goldis Malek, Florian Sennlaub, Janet Sparrow, Patricia A D'Amore

Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, multifactorial retinal degenerative disease that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the strongest risk factor for AMD is advanced age. Several physiological processes are observed in aging tissues including a low level of chronic inflammation (inflammaging), changed lipid and energy metabolism, and senescence. Nevertheless, whereas everyone ages, only a subset of the population develops AMD. The purpose of this review is to delineate the differences on a cellular and molecular level between natural aging changes and those observed in AMD. We provide a unique perspective on how genetic and environmental components modulate aging in the eye, as well as the specific role of the aging RPE and retina in the pathogenesis of AMD. Topics discussed include the mechanism of aging and its relation to the mechanism of AMD, current animal models that can be used to recapitulate some aspects of the pathology, and potential interventions that shift the balance towards healthy aging and therefore attenuate, prevent or delay the initiation of the disease.

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Research summary

The paper claims to delineate the differences between natural aging changes and those observed in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This research is relevant as it explores the underlying mechanisms of aging in the eye and potential interventions that could promote healthy aging and delay the onset of AMD, addressing root causes rather than merely treating symptoms.

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