The epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene as a potential protective factor for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a polymorphic protein that plays a central part in plasma metabolism of lipids and in central nervous system lipid homeostasis. Our purpose was to evaluate the potential role of ApoE polymorphism in the occurrence of exudative age-related macular degeneration associated with drusen, which contain lipids.


METHODS
We analyzed apolipoprotein E genotypes in 116 unrelated patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration in one eye and hard drusen (n = 39) or soft drusen (n = 77) in the other eye, and compared the results with those of age-matched and sex-matched control subjects (n = 168). Apolipoprotein E alleles were detected by a ploymerase chain reaction-based method.


RESULTS
A lower frequency of the epsilon4 allele carriers was observed in the exudative age-related macular degeneration group compared with control subjects (12.1% vs 28.6%, respectively; P < .0009). The epsilon4 allele was less frequent in the age-related macular degeneration group compared with control subjects (0.073 vs 0.149, respectively; P < .006). This decreased frequency of the epsilon4 allele was mainly observed in the soft drusen subgroup compared with control subjects (0.045 vs 0.149, respectively; P < .0009).


CONCLUSIONS
This lower relative frequency of the epsilon4 allele supports the hypothesis that the ApoE gene is a genetic protective factor identified in age-related macular degeneration.
Souied
E H
EH
Clinique Ophthamologique Universitaire de Créteil, France.
Benlian
P
P
Amouyel
P
P
Feingold
J
J
Lagarde
J P
JP
Munnich
A
A
Kaplan
J
J
Coscas
G
G
Soubrane
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000150:complications; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E