Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition causing progressive visual impairment, leading to irreversible blindness. Existing diagnostic tools for AMD are limited to clinical signs in the macula and the visual assessment of the patient. The presence of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the peripheral circulatory system with potential as diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers has been reported in a number of conditions/diseases. miRNAs are key regulators of several biological processes, and miRNA dysregulation has been linked with numerous diseases, most remarkably cancer. miRNAs have been shown to be involved in AMD pathology and several miRNAs target genes and signaling pathways were identified in relation to AMD pathogenesis. Exosomes are 50-90 nm membrane micro-vesicles (MVs), released by several cell types. Although exosomal functions are not completely understood, there is much evidence to suggest that exosomes play an essential role in cell-cell communication. They may stimulate target cells by transferring different bioactive molecules such as miRNA. Here we discuss methods to isolate exosome using serum specimens from AMD patients and miRNA profiling for the better understanding of the disease.
Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Atrophic AMD; Exosomes; MicroRNA; Neovascular AMD; Retinal pigment epithelium; Serum.