Investigating the Mechanisms by which 7-Ketocholesterol Contributes to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

In this study, we hypothesize that the age-related deposition of 7KCh is related to subretinal microglial recruitment and activation that in turn contributes to progression to neovascular AMD. We evaluated the specific effects that 7KCh exerts on retinal microglial physiology and explored the notion that 7KCh induces pathogenic microglial changes. Our findings described here indicate that 7KCh acts as a chemoattractant capable of inducing the translocation of retinal microglia to the subretinal space. Once there, uptake of 7KCh by microglia can increase microglial activation, M1 polarization, and expression of angiogenic factors in ways that potentiate AMD progression. Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360733/
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs