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Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial eye disease that is associated with aging, family history, smoking, obesity, cataract surgery, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and unhealthy diet. Gender has commonly been classified as a weak or inconsistent risk factor for AMD. This disease is characterized by degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, Bruch’s membrane, and choriocapillaris, which secondarily lead to damage and death of photoreceptor cells and central visual loss. Pathogenesis of AMD involves constant oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and increased accumulation of lipofuscin and drusen. Estrogen has both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacity and it regulates signaling pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. In this review, we discuss potential cellular signaling targets of estrogen in retinal cells and AMD pathology.
Declaration of interest
This work was supported by the VTR grants of Kuopio University Hospital (KK), the Finnish Eye Foundation (KK), the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (KK), Health Research Council of the Academy of Finland (AK, KK), the Orion-Farmos Research Foundation (AK) and the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation (AK, KK). No conflict of interest.