title: The role of CRP and inflammation in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, degenerative and progressive disease involving the multiple genetic and environmental factors that can result in severe visual loss. The etiology of AMD is not well understood. Many theories exist and feature mechanisms of oxidative stress, atherosclerotic-like changes, genetic predisposition and inflammation. The most recent clinical studies appointed to a great role of inflammation and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the pathogenesis of AMD. There is a large body of evidence indicating the association of CRP with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as with lipid status disorder in AMD patients. According to recent studies, CRP is definitely not only the inflammatory marker but also a mediator of development of the vascular disorders in the retinal circulation. The results obtained from the present studies may help our understanding the pathogenesis of the retinal vascular disease associated with high levels of CRP.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Clinical Center of Serbia and Farmaceutical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. eminacolak@sbb.rs
authors.forename: Emina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Majkic-Singh
authors.forename: Lepsa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zoric
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radosavljevic
authors.forename: Natalija
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kosanovic-Jakovic
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002097:C-Reactive Protein