title: Age-related macular degeneration: insights into inflammatory genes.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 8.7% of elderly people worldwide (>55 years old). AMD is characterized by a multifactorial aetiology that involves several genetic and environmental risk factors (genes, ageing, smoking, family history, dietary habits, oxidative stress, and hypertension). In particular, ageing and cigarette smoking (including oxidative compounds and reactive oxygen species) have been shown to significantly increase susceptibility to the disease. Furthermore, different genes (CFH, CFI, C2, C3, IL-6, IL-8, and ARMS2) that play a crucial role in the inflammatory pathway have been associated with AMD risk. Several genetic and molecular studies have indicated the participation of inflammatory molecules (cytokines and chemokines), immune cells (macrophages), and complement proteins in the development and progression of the disease. Taking into consideration the genetic and molecular background, this review highlights the genetic role of inflammatory genes involved in AMD pathogenesis and progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2148-0758
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cascella
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ragazzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1334-0920
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strafella
authors.affiliation: UOSD Retinal Pathology PTV Foundation "Policlinico Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Missiroli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borgiani
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Laboratory UILDM, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 354, 00142 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angelucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi Tonino
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Marsella
authors.affiliation: UOSD Retinal Pathology PTV Foundation "Policlinico Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cusumano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novelli
authors.affiliation: UOSD Retinal Pathology PTV Foundation "Policlinico Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy ; Molecular Genetics Laboratory UILDM, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 354, 00142 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giardina