title: Age-related macular degeneration: Complement in action.
abstract: The complement system plays a key role in host-defense against common pathogens but must be tightly controlled to avoid inflammation and tissue damage. Polymorphisms in genes encoding two important negative regulators of the alternative complement pathway, complement factor H (CFH) and complement factor I (CFI), are associated with the risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision impairment in the ageing population. In this review, we will discuss the genetic basis of AMD and the potential impact of complement de-regulation on disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will highlight recent therapeutic approaches aimed at controlling complement activation in patients with AMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States. Electronic address: menno@gene.com.
authors.forename: Menno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Lookeren Campagne
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States.
authors.forename: Erich C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Yaspan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000235:genetics; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000235:genetics*; D017244:Complement Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D017242:Complement Factor H; D017244:Complement Factor I
keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Complement; Genetics