Risk factors for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) involves genetic variations in the alternative pathway of complement inhibitor factor H. The complement system is part of the innate and adaptive immune system. Smoking is the only environmental factor known to increase the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Using serum samples of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients and controls the investigators will test the hypothesis that smoking increases Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by increasing complement activation; and that this is positively correlated with known disease variations in the complement factor H (CFH) gene.
Cohort
There are 3 SNPs
genotyping for signal nucleotide polymorphisms for I62V and Y402H in CFH gene. --- I62V ---
F) Predicted results and interpretation Published results, as well as data from the investigators' collaborator, Dr. Edwards, have provided ample evidence that AMD is correlated with increased serum levels of Ba, C3d and fD; whereas elevated levels of Ba and C3d were documented in V62I subjects. --- V62I ---
The investigators expect to confirm and extend the findings in V62I subjects, and to identify a positive correlation between elevated levels of complement activation proteins and Y402H. --- V62I ---
genotyping for signal nucleotide polymorphisms for I62V and Y402H in CFH gene. --- I62V --- --- Y402H ---
The investigators expect to confirm and extend the findings in V62I subjects, and to identify a positive correlation between elevated levels of complement activation proteins and Y402H. --- V62I --- --- Y402H ---