Tiarnan D L Keenan1, Marc Toso2, Chris Pappas2, Lisa Nichols2, Paul N Bishop3, Gregory S Hageman2. 1. Center for Translational Medicine John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States 2Centre for Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Med. 2. Center for Translational Medicine John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. 3. Centre for Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the effects of chromosome 1 genotype and cigarette smoking on levels of complement activation and inflammation in the human macula. METHODS: Donor macular tissue was stratified into three groups by diplotype at the AMD-associated CFH-to-F13B locus: homozygous "risk" (n = 9, 56-78 years), homozygous neutral (n = 2, 64-79 years), and homozygous "protective" (n = 6, 61-78 years) diplotype. Importantly, all donors were homozygous nonrisk at the ARMS2/HTRA1 locus, so that purely chromosome 1-directed pathways were examined. Immunohistochemistry was performed by using 14 antibodies, mostly against markers of complement and inflammation, followed by confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence quantification (all masked to donor status). RESULTS: Donors homozygous risk at CFH-to-F13B exhibited significantly higher levels of terminal complement complex (TCC) in macular Bruch's membrane (BM; P = 0.03), choriocapillaris (CC; P = 0.04), and choriocapillaris intercapillary septa (CC IS; P = 0.03), compared to homozygous protected donors. Smoking was associated with increased TCC in BM (P = 0.05), CC IS (P = 0.03), and choroidal stroma (CS; P = 0.01), and with substantially elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in RPE (P = 0.04), BM (P = 0.01), CC (P = 0.05), and CS (P = 0.05). Smoking was associated with higher levels of oxidative stress in macular RPE (P = 0.04) and CS (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic risk at the CFH-to-F13B locus was associated with higher levels of complement activation at the human macular RPE-choroid interface, as was cigarette smoking. Levels of CRP were substantially elevated in risk donors with smoking history. Examination of human macular tissue from donors with "pure" diplotypes allows assessment of AMD-associated pathways driven solely by CFH-to-F13B. These findings have important implications for identifying chromosome 1-directed pathways and therapeutic targets.
PURPOSE: To determine the effects of chromosome 1 genotype and cigarette smoking on levels of complement activation and inflammation in the human macula. METHODS:Donor macular tissue was stratified into three groups by diplotype at the AMD-associated CFH-to-F13B locus: homozygous "risk" (n = 9, 56-78 years), homozygous neutral (n = 2, 64-79 years), and homozygous "protective" (n = 6, 61-78 years) diplotype. Importantly, all donors were homozygous nonrisk at the ARMS2/HTRA1 locus, so that purely chromosome 1-directed pathways were examined. Immunohistochemistry was performed by using 14 antibodies, mostly against markers of complement and inflammation, followed by confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence quantification (all masked to donor status). RESULTS: Donors homozygous risk at CFH-to-F13B exhibited significantly higher levels of terminal complement complex (TCC) in macular Bruch's membrane (BM; P = 0.03), choriocapillaris (CC; P = 0.04), and choriocapillaris intercapillary septa (CC IS; P = 0.03), compared to homozygous protected donors. Smoking was associated with increased TCC in BM (P = 0.05), CC IS (P = 0.03), and choroidal stroma (CS; P = 0.01), and with substantially elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in RPE (P = 0.04), BM (P = 0.01), CC (P = 0.05), and CS (P = 0.05). Smoking was associated with higher levels of oxidative stress in macular RPE (P = 0.04) and CS (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic risk at the CFH-to-F13B locus was associated with higher levels of complement activation at the human macular RPE-choroid interface, as was cigarette smoking. Levels of CRP were substantially elevated in risk donors with smoking history. Examination of human macular tissue from donors with "pure" diplotypes allows assessment of AMD-associated pathways driven solely by CFH-to-F13B. These findings have important implications for identifying chromosome 1-directed pathways and therapeutic targets.
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