Age-related Macular Degeneration and the Immune Repone: Implication for Therapy Original Reearch Article

Purpoe To review the available information concerning the immune mediation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to peculate on propoed mechanim and immunotherapy. Deign Interpretative eay. Method Literature review and interpretation. Reult An ever-growing body of evidence i gathering concerning the role of the immune ytem in AMD. Evidence to date ugget that the underlying mechanim leading to AMD i the decline of the ocular downregulatory immune environment. The ubequent activation of the immune ytem would lead to T-cell enitization. When combined with local antiangiogenic therapy, everal exiting immunotherapie may be ued to downregulate the immune repone, potentially leading to a more efficient inhibition of choroidal neovacularization. Concluion The lo of the downregulatory immune environment i central to the development of AMD, permitting activation of the immune ytem. If o, immunotherapy could poitively alter the coure of the dieae.