Leukocyte Integrin Antagonists as a Novel Option to Treat Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex multifactorial degenerative disease that leads to irreversible blindness. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the main cellular type affected in dry AMD. RPE cells form a monolayer between the choroid and the neuroretina and are in close functional relationship with photoreceptors; moreover, RPE cells are part of the blood retina barrier that is disrupted in ocular diseases such as AMD. During ocular inflammation lymphocytes and macrophages are recruited, contact RPE and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in AMD pathogenesis. The interaction between RPE and immune cells is mediated by leukocyte integrins, heterodimeri

SUBMITTER: Baiula M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7878375 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature