title: Targeting inflammation in emerging therapies for genetic retinal disease.
abstract: Genetic retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and monogenic diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa account for some of the commonest causes of blindness in the developed world. Diverse genetic abnormalities and environmental causes have been implicated in triggering multiple pathological mechanisms such as oxidative stress, lipofuscin deposits, neovascularisation, and programmed cell death. In recent years, inflammation has also been highlighted although whether inflammatory mediators play a central role in pathogenesis or a more minor secondary role has yet to be established. Despite this, numerous interventional studies, particularly targeting the complement system, are underway with the promise of novel therapeutic strategies for these important blinding conditions.
authors.affiliation: Eye Care Centre, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 3N9.
authors.forename: Ishaq A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Viringipurampeer
authors.forename: Abu E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bashar
authors.forename: Cheryl Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Gregory-Evans
authors.forename: Orson L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gregory-Evans