title: Risk factors and biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: A biomarker can be a substance or structure measured in body parts, fluids or products that can affect or predict disease incidence. As age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, much research and effort has been invested in the identification of different biomarkers to predict disease incidence, identify at risk individuals, elucidate causative pathophysiological etiologies, guide screening, monitoring and treatment parameters, and predict disease outcomes. To date, a host of genetic, environmental, proteomic, and cellular targets have been identified as both risk factors and potential biomarkers for AMD. Despite this, their use has been confined to research settings and has not yet crossed into the clinical arena. A greater understanding of these factors and their use as potential biomarkers for AMD can guide future research and clinical practice. This article will discuss known risk factors and novel, potential biomarkers of AMD in addition to their application in both academic and clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: Nathan.lambert@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Nathan G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Ocular Development and Neurobiology Research Group, Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: elshelh@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: ElShelmani
authors.affiliation: Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: mona.singh@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Malkit K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: mansergf@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Fiona C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Mansergh
authors.affiliation: Ocular Development and Neurobiology Research Group, Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: wridem@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wride
authors.affiliation: Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: maximilianrpadilla413@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: Mater Misericordia Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland. Electronic address: djkeegan71@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Clinical Science Block A, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: r.e.hogg@qub.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.affiliation: Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: bala.ambati@utah.edu.
authors.forename: Balamurali K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ambati
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D040901:Proteomics; D012307:Risk Factors; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Biomarkers; Proteomics; microRNA; sFlt