Title:Serum Levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, RAD51B, and VEGF and their Correlations in Age-related Macular Degeneration
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Priya Battu, Kaushal Sharma, Manjari Rain, Ramandeep Singh and Akshay Anand*
Affiliation:
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh,India
Keywords:
Age-related macular degeneration, ARMS2, COL8A1, RAD51B, VEGF, ELISA.
Abstract:
Background: Many factors including genetic and environmental are responsible for the
incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). However, its pathogenesis has not been
clearly elucidated yet.
Objective: This study aimed to estimate the Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2),
Collagen type VIII Alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), Rad 51 paralog(RAD51B), and Vascular Endothelial
Growth Factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum of AMD and control participants and to further investigate
their correlation to understand AMD pathogenesis.
Methods: For this case-control study, 31 healthy control and 57 AMD patients were recruited from
Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
A blood sample was taken and serum was isolated from it. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay) was used for the estimation of proteins in the serum of patients.
Results: ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly elevated in the AMD group than in the
control group. The highest levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, and VEGF proteins were recorded for the
wet AMD sub-group. The study results endorsed significant positive correlation between these following
molecules; ARMS2 and COL8A1 (r = 0.933, p < 0.0001), ARMS2 and RAD51B (r =
0.704, p < 0.0001), ARMS2 and VEGF (r = 0.925, p < 0.0001), COL8A1 and RAD51B (r = 0.736,
p < 0.0001), COL8A1 and VEGF (r = 0.879, p < 0.0001), and RAD51B and VEGF (r = 0.691,
p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: The ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly higher and RAD51B was significantly
lower in the AMD group than controls. Also, a significant statistical correlation was detected
between these molecules, indicating that their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis
of AMD.
