Age-related macular degeneration - a genome scan in extended families

We performed a genomewide scan and genetic linkage analysis, to identify loci associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We collected 70 families, ranging from small nuclear families to extended multigenerational pedigrees and consisting of a total of 344 affected and 217 unaffected members available for genotyping. We performed linkage analyses using parametric and allele-sharing models. We performed the analyses on the complete pedigrees but also subdivided the families into nuclear pedigrees. Finally, to dissect potential genetic factors responsible for differences in disease manifestation, we stratified the sample by two major AMD phenotypes (neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy) and by age of affected family members at the time of our evaluation. We have previously demonstrated linkage between AMD and 1q25-31 in a single large family. In the combined sample, we have detected the following loci with scores exceeding a cutoff under at least one LOD = 2 of the models considered: 1q31 (HLOD = 2.07 at D1S518), 3p13 (HLOD = 2.19 at D3S1304/D3S4545), 4q32 (HLOD = 2.66 at D4S2368, for the subset of families with predominantly dry AMD), 9q33 (LODzir = 2.01 at D9S930/D9S934), and 10q26 (HLOD = 3.06 at D10S1230). Using correlation analysis, we have found a statistically significant correlation between LOD scores at 3p13 and 10q26, providing evidence for epistatic interactions between the loci and, hence, a complex basis of AMD. Our study has identified new loci that should be considered in future mapping and mutational analyses of AMD and has strengthened the evidence in support of loci suggested by other studies.