Molecular mechanisms of TGFβ-mediated EMT of retinal pigment epithelium in subretinal fibrosis of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes blindness in elderly, affecting macula retina and resulting vision loss. There are two types AMD, wet dry, both which cause visual impairment. Wet AMD called neovascular (nAMD) characterized by formation choroidal vessels (CNVs) macula. nAMD can be treated with intravitreal injections vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, help improve vision. However, approximately half patients do not achieve satisfactory results. Subretinal fibrosis often develops late nAMD, to irreversible photoreceptor contributing Currently, no treatment exists for subretinal fibrosis, molecular mechanisms fibrous tissue following lesions remain unclear. In this review, we describe clinical features secondary nAMD. Myofibroblasts play an essential role development fibrosis. This review summarizes latest findings on cellular pathogenesis discusses potential therapeutic strategies control future.