• CALM THE MICROGLIA TO AVERT MACULAR DEGENERATION

    Posted August 25, 2015: by Bill Sardi

    A recently published paper indicates macular degeneration begins with low-grade inflammation that activates microglia, cells that are found in the brain and eyes that dispense with waste products and defend against infection.  [Journal Leukocyte Biology Aug 20, 2015]

    The authors of this report provide the following information (paraphrased).

    The retina has a highly complex, sophisticated structure, and even a minor perturbation may cause devastating visual impairment.  Upon engaging with danger signals, the microglia may convert from a resting surveillance state to an active form, specialized to operate within the diseased environment.

    Evidence suggests that microglia in the aging retina appear to be activated at low levels.  The function of these cells is unclear, but their location suggests that they may be “gatekeepers” of the retina.

    Aging is associated with a low-grade activation of the systemic immune system, and the term inflammaging is frequently used to describe this phenomenon.

    Increased inflammatory gene and protein expression has been observed in various models of retinal aging, and activation of the retinal immune system may contribute to age-related retinal para-inflammation. There are two types of inflammation induced by microglia in the eyes: para-inflammation, which is beneficial, and dysregulated para-inflammation that is detrimental.

    A healthy immune system should initiate an effective para-inflammatory response and keep it under control, as part of a healthy aging eye.

    If the level of retinal stress exceeds the repair capacity of the immune system, then tissue damage is unavoidable. If the low-grade para-inflammatory response becomes dysregulated, then it may transform into chronic inflammation and contribute to tissue damage.

    The subretinal space is devoid of any immune cells under normal, healthy conditions. The presence of microglia suggests tissue insult/damage at the retina-choroidal interface.

    Microglia can migrate.  When these microglia (macrophages) are recruited to the subretinal space (see diagram below) in the aging eye, they may do more harm than good.

    As immune cells are recruited to the macula in the aging eye they may contribute to macular damage by producing various pro-inflammatory proteins (called cytokines and chemokines).

    macula-details

    A = Diagram of human eye.  Light passes through the pupil and is focused by the lens onto the macula, the visual center of the eye.

    B = The retina is organized into three layers of cells (light receptors comprised of rods for night vision and cones for color vision, and cells (called bipolar and ganglion cells) that transmit signals to the brain via the optic nerve.  These sensitive nerve cells are separated from the blood supply (choroid) by a thin saran-wrap-like membrane called Bruch’s membrane and a single-cell layer of cells called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that facilitate passage of oxygen and nutrients to the photoreceptors and exit of cellular debris.

    C = Early stage of macular degeneration characterized by deposition of cellular debris (called drusen, observable during an eye exam as yellow pigments at the back of the eyes) and assemblage and migration of microglia underneath photoreceptors (rods and cones).

    D = a more severe form of retinal degeneration where light receptor cells and RPE drop out and die off, called geographic atrophy.  Macrophages (immune cells) infiltrate.

    E = invasive macular degeneration where new blood vessels (called neovascularization) are abnormally formed to deliver oxygen to a starved retina.  This invasion of choroidal blood vessels results in hemorrhage and damage or death to light receptor cells.  Permanent vision loss may result.

    What causes microglia to convert to their activated destructive state?

    It is presumed that microglia are activated by the accumulation and release of iron as documented in microglia in the human brain. [Neurobiology Aging Sept 2015]  In fact, that is precisely what is documented to occur in the retina.  The use of an iron-chelating (key-lay-ting) drug (deferiprone) reduces microglia invasion in the retina of lab animals.  [Free Radical Biology Medicine July 1, 2012]

    While microglia may accumulate and store iron during childhood growth and development, iron may be released and induce inflammation and oxidation in advanced age.  [CNS Neurological Disorders Drug Targets Sept 2013]

    microglia-resting-activated

    microglia-active-overactive

    Active and over-active microglia in retina

    Natural metal chelators reduce microglial activation and inflammation.

    Elevated blood serum iron levels can overwhelm iron regulatory mechanisms in the retina. [American Journal Pathology Nov 2014]  Fortunately it has been demonstrated that iron in the retina is chelatable (removable). [Frontiers Aging Neuroscience June 2013]  Iron chelators also protect the retina from damage by intense light. [Free Radical Biology Medicine July 1, 2012]

    Three natural molecules, resveratrol, quercetin and vitamin D3 are documented to inhibit destructive activation of microglia in nervous tissue.

    Resveratrol is the most documented natural molecule to calm microglial activity. [Molecular Medicine Reports Aug 7, 2015; Journal Molecular Neuroscience Aug 2015; Scientific Reports Jan 2015; Cellular Molecular Neurobiology April 22, 2015]  Resveratrol also inhibits HIF-1 and controls microglial activation.  [International Immunopharmacology July 27, 2015]

    In the animal brain vitamin D3 inhibits activation of microglia.  [Korean Journal Physiology Pharmacology Oct 2014; Journal Clinical Neurology Dec 2006]

    Quercetin, found natural in red apple peel and red onions, also suppresses inflammation via inhibition of microglia.  [Neuroscience 2013; Journal Neuroscience Research Feb 1, 2015]

    Recently researchers wrote that a number of attempts have been undertaken to inhibit the microglia with varied success. [Experimental Eye Research July 2015]  It should be said that resveratrol, quercetin and vitamin D3 all pass through the blood retinal barrier to control microglia as they do in the brain.  Among the many available dietary supplement formulated for eye health, few provide the above nutrients that curtail over-activation of retinal microglia.  One brand that has been reported to produce beneficial effects among otherwise helpless patients with the advanced form of macular degeneration does provide all three nutrients described in this paper, which is suggestive of microglial control. [Nutrients Oct 17, 2014]

    It should be added that exposure to the blue spectrum of sunlight also activates microglia.  [Advances Experimental Medicine Biology 2012]  Habitual use of blue-filtering sun lenses during outdoor daylight hours would also be wise.  ©2015 Bill Sardi, Knowledge of Health, Inc.  Bill Sardi has a commercial interest in dietary supplements.

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