Effects of triamcinolone acetonide on microglial morphology and quantitative expression of MHC-II in exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Animal models, in vitro assays and pilot clinical studies suggest that intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide may be useful in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The present case study reports the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection on a subretinal neovascular lesion, microglial morphology and quantitative expression of MHC-II antigens. Triamcinolone acetonide significantly decreased MHC-II expression consistent with immunocytochemical observations which revealed condensed microglial morphology. The modulation of subretinal oedema and microglial morphology correlates with in vitro observations suggesting that downregulation of inflammatory markers and endothelial cell permeability are significant features of the mode of action of triamcinolone acetonide.