The potential pathophysiological role of tissue factor in age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly. Although the precise pathogenesis of AMD remains unknown, the pathology of advanced AMD is characterized by the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors in the macular region, either with choroidal neovascularization (neovascular AMD) or without (geographic atrophy). Tissue factor (TF) is the primary cellular initiator of blood coagulation. An increased expression of TF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neoplasia, specifically in angiogenesis, inflammation and apoptosis, all of which also appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. This article reviews the pathogenesis of AMD, biological functions of TF and the potential association of increased TF expression with AMD.

Keywords::

• age-related macular degeneration
• angiogenesis
• apoptosis
• inflammation
• tissue factor

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Chi-Chao Chan is an intramyural investigator at the NIH. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.