Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
91 Circulating inflammatory proteins and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: A bidirectional Mendelian
Tianyu Wang1, Jinbo Chen1, Junliang Wang1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ningbo Eye Institute, Ningbo Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China.
Abstract:
Previous observational studies have indicated a correlation between circulating inflammatory proteins and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), yet the causal nature of this relationship remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the causal link between circulating inflammatory proteins and AMD utilizing a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization approach. The findings indicated that elevated levels of four circulating inflammatory proteins, including C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 11 (CCL11), Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1 (SLAMF1), TNF Superfamily Member 11 (TRANCE) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) lead to the increased risk of AMD, while increased levels of two circulating inflammatory proteins, including Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF-19) and Interleukin 10 Receptor Subunit Alpha (IL-10RA), resulted in the decreased risk of AMD. Conversely, the results from reverse Mendelian randomization suggested that the presence of AMD lead to the reduction in levels of 15 circulating inflammatory proteins. The findings of this study support the association between elevated levels of circulating inflammatory proteins and the risk of AMD, as well as the potential impact of AMD on reducing circulating inflammatory protein levels. CCL11, SLAMF1, TRANCE and VEGF-A are identified as potential molecular markers in the progression of AMD. These results offer a novel molecular therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of AMD.
Insights
This study reveals that higher levels of certain inflammatory proteins increase age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk, while others decrease it. AMD also appears to lower levels of many inflammatory proteins.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between inflammatory proteins and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- The causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AMD remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AMD using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization approach.
Main Methods:
- Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.
- Utilized genetic variants as instrumental variables for circulating inflammatory proteins and AMD.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 11 (CCL11), Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1 (SLAMF1), TNF Superfamily Member 11 (TRANCE), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) were associated with increased AMD risk.
- Increased levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF-19) and Interleukin 10 Receptor Subunit Alpha (IL-10RA) were linked to decreased AMD risk.
- Reverse Mendelian randomization indicated that AMD presence reduces levels of 15 circulating inflammatory proteins.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a causal association between specific circulating inflammatory proteins and AMD risk.
- AMD may lead to a reduction in circulating inflammatory protein levels.
- CCL11, SLAMF1, TRANCE, and VEGF-A are potential therapeutic targets for AMD prevention and treatment.
More Related Videos
09:24A Protocol to Evaluate and Quantify Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Pathologies in Mouse Models of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: March 10, 2023
10:14Author Spotlight: Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
