VEGFA and age-related macular degeneration: The double membranes of APs are derived from ribosome-free portions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)47 and a number of pathological conditions can cause ER stress,48 which has a significant role in several pathologies including neurodegenration, diabetes and cancer.49, 50 The effect of ER stress in AMD has also been discussed;51 VEGF secretion is readily induced by such ER stress, and could also be implicated in lysosomal accumulation of lipofuscin within RPE.51