Macular degeneration: immune system gone wild
Scientists at the Australian based research group, The Vision Centre, have found new evidence that the common blinding disease macular degeneration (MD) may result from poorly regulated immune responses similar to those linked to Alzheimer’s disease or cerebral haemorrhages.
The leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Australia, MD often occurs as a result of the immune system going into overdrive and killing more vision cells than it should, according to new evidence.
The results suggest that the response works as a vicious cycle, with white blood cells the major culprit – upon inflammation or damage to the eyes, the immune system kicks in and white blood cells, particularly macrophages, are recruited to clean up the debris or dead cells. Under healthy conditions, the white blood cells finish their task and leave the macula.
However, in cases of MD, the macrophages call in other inflammatory proteins and combine with them. This then triggers a fresh cycle in which they attack healthy vision cells.
