Autophagy in age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population with limited understanding of its pathogenesis and a lack of effective treatment. The progression of AMD is initially characterized by atrophic alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium, as well as the formation of lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen deposits. Damage caused by chronic oxidative stress, protein aggregation and inflammatory processes may lead to geographic atrophy and/or choroidal neovascularization and fibrosis. The role of macroautophagy/autophagy in AMD pathology is steadily emerging. This review describes selective and secretory autophagy and their role in drusen biogenesis, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of AMD.

Automated summary

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population. The progression of AMD is characterized by atrophic alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium and the formation of lipofuscin and deposits. Chronic oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and inflammation may contribute to the development of AMD.