Retinal aging transcriptome and cellular landscape in association with the progression of age-related macular degeneration

Age is the main risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, with limited therapeutic options. Here we systematically analyzed the transcriptomic characteristics and cellular landscape of the aging retina from controls and patients with AMD. We identify the aging genes in the retina that are associated with innate immune response and inflammation. Deconvolution analysis reveals that the estimated proportion of M2 and M0 macrophages is increased and decreased, respectively with both age and AMD severity. Moreover, we find that Muller glia are increased with age but not with disease severity. Several genes associated with both age and disease severity in AMD, particularly C1s and MR1, are strong positively correlated with the proportions of Muller glia. Our studies expand the genetic and cellular landscape of AMD and provide avenues for further studies on the relationship between age and AMD.