Publications by authors named "K J Marchbank"

Article Synopsis
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of permanent blindness in developed countries, with certain genetic variations in the complement factor I (CFI) gene increasing the risk of developing the disease.
  • Research focusing on the Finnish population revealed novel CFI rare variants (RVs) in individuals with dry AMD, highlighting the need to understand how these genetic factors influence disease progression.
  • Functional assays showed the G547R variant severely disrupts CFI's regulatory role in the complement system, while another variant, G328R, affects protein production; these findings suggest that certain RVs significantly contribute to AMD risk in this population.
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Rare variants (RVs) in the gene encoding the regulatory enzyme complement factor I (CFI; FI) that reduce protein function or levels increase age-related macular degeneration risk. A total of 3357 subjects underwent screening in the SCOPE natural history study for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, including CFI sequencing and serum FI measurement. Eleven CFI RV genotypes that were challenging to categorize as type I (low serum level) or type II (normal serum level, reduced enzymatic function) were characterized in the context of pure FI protein in C3b and C4b fluid phase cleavage assays and a novel bead-based functional assay (BBFA) of C3b cleavage.

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Historically, the majority of patients with complement-mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (CaHUS) progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Single-arm trials of eculizumab with a short follow-up suggested efficacy. We prove, for the first time to our knowledge, in a genotype matched CaHUS cohort that the 5-year cumulative estimate of ESKD-free survival improved from 39.

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Objectives: Moderately active RA is associated with poor patient outcomes. Despite this, some health systems have restricted access to advanced therapies to those with severe RA. There is also limited evidence of the efficacy of advanced therapies in the moderately active RA population.

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