mRNA levels of AMD-associated genes, such as complement factor I (CFI), complement factor H (CFH), apolipoprotein E (APOE), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), were enhanced 12 h after NaIO3 exposure to control shRNA expressing ARPE-19 cells, but not in hPTX3 shRNA expressing ARPE-19 cells (Figure 6). Here, APOE is linked to age-related macular degeneration.