Cholesterol remedy: Protect your heart and eyesight
A new study has highlighted the significant role of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) in the early and intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly the dry form of the disease. Research led by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, has revealed that AMD patients have significantly lower circulating levels of ApoM compared to healthy individuals [1][3][4].
Experimental mouse models mimicking dry AMD showed that increasing ApoM levels—for instance, through plasma transfer from ApoM-overexpressing mice—improves the function of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and reduces lipid accumulation in the RPE, a layer crucial to retinal health [1][4]. This improvement is due to ApoM's role as a carrier of the signaling molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). The ApoM-S1P complex activates the S1P receptor 3 (S1PR3) on RPE cells, which triggers lysosomal lipid degradation pathways essential for clearing harmful lipids [1][4].
The findings suggest that therapeutic strategies to increase ApoM or enhance ApoM-S1P signaling could potentially prevent early AMD progression or delay its advancement to more severe stages such as geographic atrophy or choroidal neovascularization [1][3][4]. It's important to note that disruption of ApoM's ability to bind S1P or absence of S1PR3 abolishes this protective benefit [1]. Additionally, impaired lysosomal function eliminates ApoM's positive effect, underscoring the necessity of this degradation pathway [1].
While the primary focus has been on AMD, ApoM-S1P complexes also show roles in other neurodegenerative contexts, such as Alzheimer's disease, indicating a broader biological importance of this pathway [2].
In summary, recent research positions apolipoprotein M and its associated S1P signaling as promising molecular targets for AMD prevention and treatment, especially in early disease stages. The goal is to restore retinal lipid homeostasis and preserve vision [1][3][4]. However, clinical translation and therapeutic development are ongoing and remain to be fully established.
Sources: [1] The Ophthalmologist, July 2025 [2] PubMed abstract, July 2025 (context on ApoM-S1P in neurogenesis) [3] EyeFox News, July 2025 [4] BioWorld, July 2025
- The new study suggests that supplements enhancing ApoM levels or boosting ApoM-S1P signaling could be beneficial for preventing or delaying the progression of medical-conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly the dry form.
- The research highlights a significant role of the ApoM-S1P complex in eye-health, as it improves the function of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and reduces inflammation associated with lipid accumulation.
- The health-and-wellness industry may consider scientific advancements in ApoM and S1P signaling when developing supplements aimed at managing age-related macular degeneration and other medical-conditions.
- Nutrition plays a crucial role in AMD prevention and treatment, as one potential solution could involve increasing ApoM levels through diet or supplements.
