Age-related Macular Degeneration Whole Blood
Fresh Age-related Macular Degeneration Whole Blood - IRB-consented, same-day shipped whole blood from donors with clinically confirmed AMD, a degenerative complement-driven retinal disease. Ideal for CFH and ARMS2 genotyping, whole-blood transcriptomics, monocyte immunophenotyping, and complement measurement in the paired plasma fraction. Stratification by dry versus neovascular subtype and stage; matched healthy controls available.
Age-related Macular Degeneration Whole Blood for Complement and Retinal Degeneration Research
Fresh Age-related Macular Degeneration Whole Blood is collected from IRB-consented donors with clinically confirmed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and shipped same-day to preserve cell viability, DNA quality, and RNA integrity. AMD is a degenerative disease of the macula driven by complement dysregulation, oxidative stress, and lipid deposition. It is not an autoimmune disease, and whole blood is the most flexible material for the genetic and cellular arms of AMD research.
AMD Biology and Why Whole Blood
- AMD is degenerative and complement-driven. Common and rare variants in complement genes – most prominently the CFH Y402H risk variant, along with C3, CFB, CFI, and C2 – establish alternative complement pathway dysregulation as a central mechanism, and the ARMS2/HTRA1 locus at 10q26 contributes independently.
- Drusen, the extracellular deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane that define early and intermediate AMD, are enriched in complement proteins and oxidised lipids.
- Chronic oxidative stress on the metabolically demanding retinal pigment epithelium, compounded by smoking as the strongest modifiable risk factor, drives progressive cellular dysfunction and eventual photoreceptor loss.
- Late AMD diverges into two mechanistically distinct forms: dry AMD culminating in geographic atrophy, and neovascular (wet) AMD driven by VEGF-dependent choroidal neovascularisation. Complement inhibitors and anti-VEGF agents address these arms respectively.
- Circulating monocytes and macrophages participate in para-inflammation at the outer retina and are a recognised cellular contributor to disease progression, making the leukocyte compartment directly relevant.
- Whole blood supplies genomic DNA for complement and ARMS2 genotyping, stabilised RNA for transcriptomics, viable leukocytes for immunophenotyping, and the plasma fraction for complement protein measurement – all from one specimen.
Donor Stratification Available
- AMD subtype: dry (non-neovascular) versus neovascular/wet
- Disease stage: early, intermediate, or late, including documented geographic atrophy
- Laterality: unilateral versus bilateral involvement
- Treatment history: anti-VEGF-naive versus intravitreal anti-VEGF treated, and complement inhibitor exposure where applicable
- Smoking status and AREDS-type supplement use
- Age band and CFH or ARMS2 genotype where genotyping is available
- Matched healthy controls available
Product Features
- Fresh whole blood from clinically diagnosed AMD donors
- Custom tubes and anticoagulants available, including RNA-stabilising collection tubes
- Collected and shipped same-day for maximum freshness
- Standard and custom volumes
- IRB-approved protocols and electronic informed consent
- Research Use Only (RUO)
De-identified Donor Data
- Confirmed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnosis by physician or specialist
- Demographic details: age, sex assigned at birth, ethnicity
- Medical history including allergies and infectious disease status
- AMD subtype, stage, and ophthalmic treatment history where documented
- Additional AMD-specific metadata available on request
Applications
- DNA extraction for complement pathway genotyping, including CFH Y402H, and ARMS2/HTRA1 variant analysis
- Polygenic risk score development and genotype-phenotype correlation studies
- Whole-blood transcriptomic profiling of complement and inflammatory gene expression
- Immunophenotyping of monocyte and macrophage subsets by flow cytometry
- Complement component and activation fragment measurement in the paired plasma fraction
- Ex vivo stimulation assays to assess complement activation capacity
- Single-cell RNA sequencing of the circulating immune compartment
- Companion biomarker and patient-stratification research for complement-directed therapeutics
Other Age-related Macular Degeneration Specimen Types
- Age-related Macular Degeneration Serum
- Age-related Macular Degeneration Plasma
- Age-related Macular Degeneration PBMC
- Age-related Macular Degeneration Leukopak
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- IRB-approved protocols and electronic informed consent
- 21 CFR Part 11-compliant e-consent
- HIPAA-compliant data management
Ordering & Customization
Age-related macular degeneration whole blood is available in a range of standard and custom volumes. For pricing, international orders, or documentation requirements, please email learnmore@sanguinebio.com to ensure compatibility with your country’s regulations. To compare donor availability across conditions, visit our human whole blood page.
Whole Blood
Frequently Asked Questions
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YES – All collections are conducted under IRB-approved protocols and electronic informed consent. Sanguine utilizes Advarra and WCG IRB for oversight.
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YES – all our products are research use only (RUO).
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You can find our full product catalog here.
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Storage depends on sample type but often cryopreserved samples stored in liquid nitrogen can be stored for years.
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Extensive customization is available. To discuss your project request a quote or email us at learnmore@sanguinebio.com.
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Sanguine offers flexible prospective collection services tailored to fit your research. For more information and to request a quote, please see: our prospective biospecimen collection services page.
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Timelines depend on condition, sample type, and I/E criteria but we often start collection within 2 weeks of signed agreement.
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YES – we have in-stock inventory. You can also email us at learnmore@sanguinebio.com as we continually get new samples in our inventory.
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Each sample from a different individual – Unique donor means each sample comes from a different person, ensuring biological diversity in your study.
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YES – Unique donors can be specified and guaranteed based on your requirements.
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For information about sample quality, please see: Quality and Compliance
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YES – “IRB-approved collection protocols” and IRB approval documentation available upon request. Sanguine utilizes two internationally-recognized IRBs (Advarra and WCG IRB) for review and approval.
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Need a custom Whole Blood cohort?
Our scientific team can scope prospective collections with donor-specific I/E criteria, typically starting within 2 weeks of agreement.