IL-6 and IL-8 are prominent cytokines that mediate chronic inflammatory responses shared across a variety of age-related pathologies and are implicated in AMD progression following LPS stimulation.34, 35 IL-6 also had a pro-angiogenic effect in an AMD model, similar to IL-1β and IL-18.36 IL-12b upregulation may also be a risk factor in AMD.37 These cytokines can enhance the synthesis of other cytokines, suggesting that the Aβ1-40 toxicity mediated by these cytokines through an autocrine feedback loop may impair RPE cells and stimulate angiogenesis, contributing to AMD pathogenesis. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is age.