Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness. Now, the eosinophil/mast cell chemokine receptor CCR3 is shown to be specifically expressed in choroidal neovascular endothelial cells in humans with AMD, and targeting CCR3 or its ligands in mice inhibits the choroidal neovascularization that underlies AMD. In the mouse model, CCR3 blockade was more effective and less toxic than VEGF-A neutralization, which is currently in clinical use.
- Atsunobu Takeda
- Judit Z. Baffi
- Jayakrishna Ambati
