CTSE and age-related macular degeneration: Cathepsin E, an intracellular aspartic protease, is integral to various physiological and pathological processes, including intracellular protein metabolism, antigen processing, immune responses, tumorigenesis and development, and neurological disorders.[33–35] Despite its established roles, there is a lack of research investigating the involvement of cathepsin E in the pathogenesis of AMD.