The NLRP3 inflammasome and its role in age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness among people of 65 years and older in developed countries (Klein and Klein, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54:7395–7401, 2013). Recent advances in dry AMD research points towards an important role of the inflammatory response in the development of the disease. The presence of inflammatory cells, antibodies, complement factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in AMD retinas and drusen indicates that the immune system could be an important driving force in dry AMD. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been proposed as an integrator of process associated with AMD and the induction of inflammation. Herein we summarize the most recent studies that attempt to understand the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in AMD.