New target for AMD treatment

Friday, December 19 2014 | 00 h 00 min | Vision Science

Researchers have identified a new genetic target for AMD treatment.

One of the genes associated with the risk of AMD is the complement factor H (CFH) gene. It codes the factor H (FH) protein, which protects our eyes from attacks from our own immune system.

The researchers discovered that in the back of the eye, it is not the factor H protein that acts as a protector, but rather the factor “H-like 1” (FHL-1) protein. The protein’s reduced size (about a third of factor H) allows it to get to the structures at the back of the eye, whereas FH cannot.

An insufficient amount of FHL-1 in the back of the eye leaves the eyes vulnerable to inflammation and can lead to vision loss.

For further information: http://www.jimmunol.org/content/early/2014/10/10/jimmunol.1401613.abstract