Choroidal Neovascularization Enhanced by Chlamydia pneumoniae via Toll-like Receptor 2 in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

PURPOSE. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is directly related to visual loss in persons with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other macular disorders. Chlamydia pneumoniae, a prokaryotic pathogen that causes chronic inflammation, is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the authors investigated the association between C. pneumoniae infection and AMD using a laser-induced CNV model in mice.