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Age-related changes in the basement membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium of Rpe65 −/− and wild-type mice

  • Laboratory Investigation
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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate unusual changes in the basal surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell layer in aging Rpe65 −/− and wild-type mice.

Methods

The retinas of Rpe65 −/− and wild-type mice of different ages—6 weeks and 3, 6, 12–13 and 16 months—were examined by electron microscopy.

Results

There was an age-related increase in the width of the basement membrane of both Rpe65 −/− and wild-type mice which was associated with loss of basal infoldings of the plasma membrane of the RPE cells and protrusions of basement membrane material deep into the cytoplasm of these cells. These changes were evident at 6 months of age in RPE65 −/− mice and became extensive at 1 year of age. Similar changes occurred in wild-type mice but were less extensive and were only evident after 1 year of age.

Conclusions

There is an age-dependent abnormality that develops at the basal surface of murine RPE cells, which resembles some of the changes observed in human age-related macular degeneration. These changes occur earlier in life and are more extensive in Rpe65 mutant mice.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Christine Curcio for helpful discussions on the classification of membranous structures and their position relative to the basal lamina of the RPE. We thank Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, St Erik’s Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Polhemsgatan 50, 112 82, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lena Ivert

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA

    Hild Keldbye & Peter Gouras

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  1. Lena Ivert
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  2. Hild Keldbye
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  3. Peter Gouras
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Correspondence to Lena Ivert.

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Ivert, L., Keldbye, H. & Gouras, P. Age-related changes in the basement membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium of Rpe65 −/− and wild-type mice. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 250–256 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0967-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0967-y

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