Macrophage origin and function during experimental choroidal neovascularization in mice

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss caused by new blood vessel growth in the eye. Current therapy blocks new blood vessels by inhibiting a single growth factor, but 15% of patients lose vision despite monthly therapy. Multiple prior studies in mice and humans suggest that macrophages are important in causing wet AMD. Macrophages are immune cells implicated in many disease processes including inflammation, infection, wound healing, and new blood vessel growth. Macrophage function depends upon whether that cell lives in the eye for long periods of time or is recruited to the eye from the blood. Our proposed studies intend to unwrap how macrophage origin determines its function in order to identify types of macrophages that either activate or block these new, destructive blood vessels in the eye. With the knowledge gained from our research, new therapies can be designed that will target macrophages and provide new treatment options for patients who are resistant to current blood vessel blocking intraocular injections.