On the inflammatory origins of AMD

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, highly heritable, multifactorial disease caused by the interplay of age and genetic and environmental risk factors. No treatment has yet been found to treat the slowly progressing atrophic form of AMD. All forms of AMD are invariably associated with an accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes (MP) in the subretinal space, a family of cells that include inflammatory and resident macrophages. We here present an overview of the inflammatory process occurring in AMD and discuss the origin of MPs and the consequences of their accumulation in the subretinal space. Finally, we will review the role played by the established risk factors for AMD to promote the switch from beneficial inflammation in early stage to a deleterious inflammation in the advanced stage of the disease.