The role of retinal pigment epithelial senescence and the potential of senotherapeutics in age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population. Evidence showing the presence of cellular senescence in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of patients with AMD is growing. Senescent RPE play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. The senescent RPE suffers from structural and functional alterations and disruption of the surrounding microenvironment due to the development of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which contributes to metabolic dysfunctions and inflammatory responses in the retina. Senotherapeutics, including senolytics, senomorphics and others, are novel treatments targeting senescent cells and are promising treatments for AMD. As senotherapeutic targets are being developed, it is promising that the burden of AMD could be decreased.