Prognosis of macular degeneration risk
A method of early diagnosis of the threat of blindness has been found
Timur Alimov, Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Macular degeneration, or macular degeneration, in which the retina of the eye is affected, is considered one of the most common causes of vision loss. The disease, which affects millions of people around the world, is practically incurable.
But the risk of developing blindness in old age can be detected by a simple blood test. This statement was made by the heads of an international group of ophthalmologists following the results of a large-scale study conducted at the University of Manchester. Article by Cipriani et al. Increased circulating levels of Factor H-Related Protein 4 are strongly associated with age-related macular degeneration published in the journal Nature Communications.
In the blood of macular degeneration sufferers, as it turned out, the content of the protein FHR-4 (factor H-related protein 4) was greatly exceeded. It is involved in the work of the complement system, which is part of human immunity. Excessive activation of this system is the main cause of the development of the disease.
The data were confirmed in 484 out of 522 patients from different European countries whose blood samples were analyzed.
Studies of the genome of patients also showed the dependence of macular degeneration and the level of FHR-4 in the blood. The genes encoding the complement system proteins are grouped on the largest human chromosome 1. It turned out that the same genetic variants are responsible for regulating the content of FHR-4 and the occurrence of macular degeneration.
– We have received convincing evidence that an increased level of the FHR-4 protein provokes an uncontrolled reaction of the immune system, which leads to the disease. In addition to the fact that we now have a better understanding of the causes of vision loss, we can say that the risk of developing blindness due to macular degeneration can be predicted long before the first symptoms appear by observing the blood test indicators," said the head of the research group, Professor of ophthalmology Paul Bishop.
The scientist also added that the results of the work will help develop drug therapy to maintain normal levels of FHR-4, which will help prevent the disease.
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