Abstract
Presentation Description :
The NLRP3 inflammasome is an intracellular, multiprotein complex that senses and responds to a diversity of pathogen or danger associated molecular patterns (PAMPs or DAMPs). Drusen components, such as advanced glycation endproducts, amyloid beta and others, may trigger activation of the inflammasome and lead to chronic para-inflammation in the outer retina. Recently, it has been suggested that sub-lytic levels of membrane attack complex (MAC)- the end product of the complement cascade- may also activate the inflammasome. Here we will present recent studies on age related changes in amyloid beta and MAC in outer retina and their contributions to inflammasome activation. Significance of these findings towards low grade tissue stress and para-inflammation in the pathogenesis of AMD will be discussed.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.