title: [The molecular mechanisms of neovascular age-related macular degeneration].
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in industrialized countries. While early forms of this disease with drusen and focal pigment alterations generally do not lead to relevant functional limitations, later forms of the disease, either through atrophy or choroidal neovascularization, are associated with significant visual impairment. A significant increase in knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of new vessel formation from the choriocapillaries has occurred over the past few years. This has already allowed for the clinical testing of pharmacological agents which inhibit the formation of new vessels in AMD. This article describes current research in the pathophysiology of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik Heidelberg. daniel_miller@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Joussen
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Holz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005136:Eye Proteins; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D012106:Research; D015843:Serpins / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D005136:Eye Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor