Because SCR7 is known to bind to heparin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and M protein from Streptococcus pyogenes, it has been hypothesized that the AMD-associated polymorphism may affect interactions with these CFH ligands.
A prospective assessment of the Y402H variant in complement factor H, genetic variants in C-reactive protein, and risk of age-related macular degeneration.
To assess the associations between the CFH gene and AMD in the general population and to investigate the modifying effect of smoking, serum inflammatory markers, and genetic variation of C-reactive protein (CRP).
Because the CRP-binding site in CFH lies within the domain containing the Y402H polymorphism, it is also possible that the AMD risk-conferring allele alters the binding properties of CFH, thereby leading to choroidal CRP deposition, contributing to AMD pathogenesis.
Individuals homozygous for the age-related macular degeneration risk-conferring variant of complement factor H have elevated levels of CRP in the choroid.