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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
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Secretory autophagy and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cadaveric AMD samples: Novel pathways in disease

Iswariyaraja Sridevi Gurubaran1, Ali Koskela1, Hanna Heloterä1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.

Acta Ophthalmologica
|July 19, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Secretory autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are increased in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These findings offer new insights into AMD progression and potential treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss.
  • The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a critical role in AMD pathogenesis.
  • Understanding cellular changes in RPE is crucial for developing effective AMD therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and significance of secretory autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the macular RPE.
  • To compare these cellular processes in human eyes with dry AMD, wet AMD, and age-matched controls.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of human cadaver macula samples using immunohistochemistry.
  • Evaluation of RPE cells for markers of secretory autophagy, EMT, and inflammation.
  • Comparison between AMD subtypes (dry and wet) and control groups.

Main Results:

  • Elevated expression of proteins linked to secretory autophagy and EMT was observed in RPE cells of AMD samples.
  • These molecular changes were present in both dry and wet forms of AMD.
  • Increased inflammatory markers were also noted in AMD RPE cells.

Conclusions:

  • Secretory autophagy and EMT are significantly elevated in the macular RPE of individuals with AMD.
  • These cellular alterations represent a novel mechanism contributing to AMD progression.
  • Targeting secretory autophagy and EMT may offer promising therapeutic strategies for AMD.
Keywords:
agingdrusenepithelial degenerationepithelial‐mesenchymal transitionmaculasecretory autophagy

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