Are senescent retinal pigment epithelial cells more sensitive to vascular endothelial growth factor : implications for `` wet '' age-related macular degeneration?
The present results show that the ability of VEGF to reduce the barrier function of RPE cell layers is greater in high PDL layers, which display signs of senescence, than in low PDL layers. Senescence-induced changes in the responsiveness of RPE cell layers to VEGF could contribute to the pathology of AMD. Agents that strengthen the barrier properties of RPE cells or reduce their responsiveness to VEGF could be effective in treating "wet" AMD.
About half of the men with PSMs in the RP surgical specimen in our prospective series did not develop BCR. The risk of BCR was dependent on the site and not the number of PSMs. Adjuvant therapy should be considered in cases with anterior and basilar PSMs due to the very high risk of BCR.