ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS AND RESPONSE TO RANIBIZUMAB IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Abstract

The observations indicate responsiveness of circulating EPCs to the CNV process in AMD. They suggest the hypothesis that increased stromal cell-derived factor 1 production at the CNV site (reflected in higher plasma levels) recruits EPCs from the circulation, and that antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy selectively decreases the recruitment of cells to be incorporated into new vessels.