Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that underlie age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has led to the identification of key molecules. Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) have been associated with choroidal neovascularization and the progression of AMD into the neovascular clinical phenotype (nAMD). HIFs regulate the expression of multiple growth factors and cytokines involved in angiogenesis and inflammation, hallmarks of nAMD. This knowledge has propelled the development of a new group of therapeutic strategies focused on gene therapy. The present review provides an update on current gene therapies in ocular angiogenesis, particularly nAMD, from both basic and clinical perspectives.
Keywords:
Age-related macular degeneration; Angiogenesis; Gene therapy; Hypoxia-inducible factors.
MeSH terms
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Choroidal Neovascularization / genetics
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Choroidal Neovascularization / pathology
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Genetic Therapy / methods*
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Humans
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
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Macular Degeneration / genetics*
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Macular Degeneration / pathology
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Macular Degeneration / therapy*
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Repressor Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
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Vision Disorders / genetics
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Vision Disorders / pathology
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Vision Disorders / therapy
Substances
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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HIF1A protein, human
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HIF3A protein, human
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
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Repressor Proteins
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endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1