Transcriptome changes in age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a debilitating, common cause of visual impairment. While the last decade has seen great progress in understanding the pathophysiology of AMD, the molecular changes that occur in eyes with AMD are still poorly understood. In the current issue of Genome Medicine, Newman and colleagues present the first systematic transcriptional profile analysis of AMD-affected tissues, providing a comprehensive set of expression data for different regions (macula versus periphery), tissues (retina versus retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid), and disease state (control versus early or advanced AMD). Their findings will serve as a foundation for additional systems-level research into the pathogenesis of this blinding disease.