The role of amyloid-β in retinal degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in western countries. It is characterized by the formation of subretinal deposits called drusen, associated with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), disturbance of the transepithelial barrier, and photoreceptor death. AMD is a complex disease involving many genetic and environmental factors that may confound one another. Although the mechanisms of AMD are not yet clearly understood, the observation of amyloid-β (Aβ), a protein commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), within RPE cells and drusen in AMD patients is consistent with the hypothesis that the disease is mediated by oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Several lines of evidence pinpoint the role of Aβ in RPE dysfunction, and retinal inflammation and alteration leading to retinal degeneration. This review summarizes current knowledge relating to the potential role of Aβ in retinal degeneration with emphasis on AMD. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.