Genetic variation in complement regulators and susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration.

Summary: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, and scientists know that the immune system—specifically a part called the "complement system"—plays a major role in the disease. Since genetic variations in one specific immune regulator (Factor H) are known to increase risk, researchers investigated four other similar immune-regulating genes (CFP, CD46, CD55, and CD59) to see if they were also culprits. By comparing the DNA of nearly 1,000 people (some with AMD and some without), the study found no link between these four genes and the disease. This helps scientists rule out these specific suspects and focus their search for treatments elsewhere.