An integrated hypothesis that considers drusen as biomarkers of immune-mediated processes at the RPE-Bruch's membrane interface in aging and age-related macular degeneration.

An integrated ultrastructural, histochemical, molecular biological, and biochemical approach is described to identify specific molecular pathways associated with drusen biogenesis and invokes, for the first time, the potential for a direct role of cell- and immune-mediated processes in drusens biogenesis.