CD46 and age-related macular degeneration: [38] CD46 is present in drusen associated RPE cells, as well as in small, spherical substructural elements within drusen. [16] Increased membrane complement regulatory proteins such as CD46, CD55, and CD59 may help to protect RPE cells from complement and oxidant mediated injury in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. [15] These facts suggest an interesting hypothesis that Ad35 vectors may accumulate in drusen and related subretinal pathologies mediated by CD46.