December 2002
Volume 43, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   December 2002
Evidence for Apoptosis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • JL Dunaief
    Ophthalmology FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute Univ of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
  • T Dentchev
    Ophthalmology FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute Univ of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
  • A Milam
    Ophthalmology FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute Univ of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   J.L. Dunaief, None; T. Dentchev, None; A. Milam, None. Grant Identification: Support: RPB CDA to JD, IRRF, NIH EY00417, FFB, FFS, McCabe Fund, Pennsylvania Lions, Mackall Trust
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science December 2002, Vol.43, 2817. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      JL Dunaief, T Dentchev, A Milam; Evidence for Apoptosis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2002;43(13):2817.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly, yet much needs to be learned about the pathogenesis. The goal of this study is to shed light on the mechanism of cell death in AMD. Methods: Post mortem eyes from nine normal controls and ten donors with AMD including six with geographic atrophy (GA), three with exudative AMD and one with drusen only and were examined for evidence of apoptosis using the TUNEL technique. TUNEL positive cells in each retinal layer were quantified. Following TUNEL labeling, sections were processed for immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for rods, cones, or Fas receptor (CD95). Results: AMD eyes had significantly more TUNEL positive cells than controls in the RPE, PR, and INL layers. In GA, the TUNEL positive cells were greatest in number near edges of atrophy and were labeled with an anti-rod antibody. TUNEL positive cells in the INL were mainly in the inner aspect of the layer. Fas receptor immunoreactivity was greater in photoreceptors from AMD eyes than in controls. Conclusion: These data support a role for apoptosis in RPE, PR and INL cell death in AMD. In GA cases, we find clustered TUNEL positive rods near edges of atrophy, where cell death would be anticipated. TUNEL positive RPE and INL cells provide evidence for apoptotic death in these layers. Increased Fas receptor immunoreactivity in AMD cases implicates the Fas/FasL system as a possible trigger of cell death in AMD. These studies should suggest potential points of pharmacological intervention for AMD.

Keywords: 308 age-related macular degeneration • 323 apoptosis/cell death • 507 pathology: human 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×