Serum MicroRNAs Profiling in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the retina which ultimately results in the irreversible loss of central vision. AMD is one of the foremost causes of blindness in people over the age of 50. Although the precise pathogenesis of AMD has not yet been elucidated, AMD results from a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental provoking factors. These factors might lead to ocular homeostasis dysfunction resulting in inflammation, oxidative stress, and in some cases neovascularization. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs and are approximately 22 nucleotides long. miRNAs play a central role in several pathophysiological processes such as immune and inflammatory responses, pathological angiogenesis, and the response to oxidative stress, all of which have been suggested to be associated with AMD pathogenesis and progression. Here we discuss methods to isolate miRNAs using serum specimens from AMD patients and miRNA profiling for the better understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of AMD.