Fig. 7

Schematic overview of ARMS2 functions. Human monocytes or microglia cells express ARMS2, which is likely secreted by a non-classical pathway and which attaches to late apoptotic and necrotic cells, recruits properdin and enhances C3b opsonization by complement activation. Opsonization of particles with C3b augments phagocytosis. AMD patients homozygous for the ARMS2 risk haplotype (II/II) show ARMS2 protein deficiency in their monocytes