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Updated: May 18, 2026
Characterization of Vascular Morphology of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Indocyanine Green Angiography
Published on: August 11, 2023
New biomarker for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: eotaxin-2
Neel Kamal Sharma1, Sudesh Prabhakar, Amod Gupta
1Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Abstract:
Recently, eotaxin-CCR3 was reported to play an important role in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) development and was documented to be superior than vascular endothelial growth factor-A treatment when tested in CNV animals. As eotaxin studies are lacking in the human age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients, we sought to determine whether eotaxin-2 (CCL24) has any association with inflammatory processes that occur in CNV. CCL24 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) after normalization to total serum protein and levels of ELISA were correlated to various risk factors in about 133 AMD patients and 80 healthy controls. The CCL24 levels were significantly higher in wet AMD patients as compared with dry AMD and normal controls. There was a significant difference when compared among wet AMD patients (i.e., minimally classic, predominantly classic, and occult). We also report significant difference in the CCL24 levels of Avastin-treated and untreated AMD patients. This study shows that CCL24 levels were found to be significantly increased in AMD patients despite Avastin treatment as compared with normal controls and those without Avastin, indicating that CCL24 may have an association with CNV and may be an important target to validate future therapeutic approaches in AMD in tandem with Avastin treatment.
Insights
Elevated eotaxin-2 (CCL24) levels are linked to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This finding suggests CCL24 may be a therapeutic target for AMD, even with Avastin treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a key factor in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Eotaxin-CCR3 signaling is implicated in CNV development in animal models.
- Limited research exists on eotaxin's role in human AMD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between eotaxin-2 (CCL24) and inflammatory processes in human AMD.
- To determine if CCL24 levels differ between AMD subtypes and healthy controls.
- To assess CCL24 levels in relation to Avastin treatment in AMD patients.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify serum CCL24 levels.
- CCL24 levels were normalized to total serum protein.
- Data from 133 AMD patients and 80 healthy controls were analyzed and correlated with risk factors.
Main Results:
- CCL24 levels were significantly higher in wet AMD patients compared to dry AMD and normal controls.
- Significant differences in CCL24 levels were observed among different subtypes of wet AMD.
- CCL24 levels remained elevated in Avastin-treated AMD patients compared to controls and untreated patients.
Conclusions:
- CCL24 is significantly increased in AMD patients, irrespective of Avastin treatment.
- CCL24 may be associated with CNV pathogenesis in AMD.
- CCL24 represents a potential therapeutic target for AMD, possibly in combination with existing treatments like Avastin.
