Additionally, while M1 macrophages are commonly considered pathogenic, their expression of the cytokine IL-18 has been shown to combat the neovascular effects of VEGF via attenuation of CNV in rodent models, as well as in nonhuman primate models of wet AMD, thereby indicating a potential therapeutic role for M1 macrophages in this pathology (123, 124)). This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and wet macular degeneration.