COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING RETINAL DISEASES

摘要

The present invention relates generally to the preparation and use of retinoid N-retinylidene-N-retinyl-ethanolamine (A2E) conjugated to a carrier polypeptide and to the preparation and use of antibodies that bind specifically to A2E. The invention relates to the use of A2E conjugates as immunogens or vaccines and to the use of A2E specific antibodies for treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Provided herein are methods for enhancing retinal neuronal cell survival, including photoreceptor cell survival, using antibodies that specifically bind to A2E or by inducing an immune response using an A2E immunoconjugate. Enhancing survival of photoreceptor cells or decreasing accumulation of A2E in the eye using the A2E immunoconjugates or A2E specific antibodies is useful for treatment of ophthalmic diseases such as macular degeneration.