Deciphering the role of macrophages in subretinal fibrosis secondary to neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)

This was also confirmed in aged LysMCre-Socs3fl/flCx3cr1gfp/gfp (DKO) mice, which display microglial dysfunction and micro-retinopathy with age, indicating a potential role of microglia in retinal angiogenesis. In Chapter 4, we showed, using a mouse model of two-stage laser-induced subretinal fibrosis (TSLSF), that CX3CR1+ microglia depletion did not affect subretinal fibrosis progression. However, aged DKO mice displayed larger fibrovascular lesions suggesting that subretinal fibrosis may be supported by uncontrolled microglial activation.<br><br>Finally in Chapter 5, we demonstrated, using a mouse model of TSLSF, that both phagocyte subsets may play distinct roles in the progression of subretinal fibrosis as our results indicated that CCR2+ monocytes play a critical role in the development of the fibrovascular phenotype during the chronic stage of inflammation.<br><br>Overall, this study gives new insights in the understanding of the phagocyte infiltration dynamic in the subretinal space following injury and their implication towards the progression of subretinal fibrosis secondary to CNV.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2027</i>.<br><br>