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Seven new loci linked to AMD
Researchers have identified seven new loci linked to age-related macular degeneration, offering potential new avenues for biologic, therapeutic and genetic studies of the condition, according to a letter published by the AMD Gene Consortium.
The researchers conducted a genome-wide association study involving more than 17,100 patients with advanced AMD and more than 60,000 control subjects of European and Asian descent.
The results showed 19 loci associated at P < 5 × 10-8, including seven loci that reached that significance for the first time.
The new loci are located near the genes COL8A1-FILIP1L, IER3-DDR1, SLC16A8, TGFBR1, RAD51B, ADAMTS9-MIR548A2 and B3GALTL.
The discovery of these disease pathways could allow for new therapeutic interventions, according to the researchers, which might result in improved quality of life for AMD patients.