The Role of A2E in AMD and Chemotherapy

Authors

D. Joshua Cameron, Brigham Young University
Dr. Heidi Vollmer-Snarr, Brigham Young University

Keywords

A2E, AMD, chemotherapy, RPE

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

A2E is implicated in the etiology of AMD. We have found significant concentrations of A2E present in both lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, meaning that A2E is likely more involved in AMD than originally thought. Evidence shows that A2E, in small concentrations, is not cytotoxic alone, but becomes toxic when exposed to blue light. The light mechanism involved in A2E toxicity can be controlled and used to trigger cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. The implications of A2E in AMD and the applications of A2E’s light triggered cytotoxicity as a possible chemotherapeutic treatment were further elucidated in this study.

Recommended Citation

Cameron, D. Joshua and Vollmer-Snarr, Dr. Heidi (2013) "The Role of A2E in AMD and Chemotherapy," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2525.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2525