Abstract. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the aging population. The aims of our studies were to identify qualitative and quantitative alterations in mitochondria in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients and controls and to test the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a known neurotrophic and antiangiogenic substance, against neurotrophic keratouveitis. Histopathological alterations were studied by means of morphometry, light and electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, morphometric data showed that the RPE alterations noted in AMD may also develop in normal aging, 10-15 years later than appearing in AMD patients. Reduced tear secretion, corneal ulceration and leukocytic infiltration were found in capsaicin (CAP)-treated rats, but this effect was significantly attenuated by PEDF. These findings suggest that PEDF accelerated the recovery of tear secretion and also prevented neurotrophic keratouveitis and vitreoretinal inflammation. PEDF may have a clinical appli
Retinal pigment epithelium, age-related macular degeneration and neurotrophic keratouveitis / Bianchi, Enrica; Scarinci, Fabio; Ripandelli, G; Feher, J; Pacella, Elena; Magliulo, Giuseppe; Gabrieli, Cb; Plateroti, Rocco; Plateroti, Pasquale; Mignini, F; Artico, Marco. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE. - ISSN 1107-3756. - STAMPA. - 1:31(2013), pp. 232-242. [10.3892/ijmm.2012.1164]
Retinal pigment epithelium, age-related macular degeneration and neurotrophic keratouveitis.
BIANCHI, ENRICA;SCARINCI, FABIO;PACELLA, Elena;MAGLIULO, Giuseppe;PLATEROTI, Rocco;PLATEROTI, PASQUALE;ARTICO, Marco
2013
Abstract
Abstract. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the aging population. The aims of our studies were to identify qualitative and quantitative alterations in mitochondria in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients and controls and to test the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a known neurotrophic and antiangiogenic substance, against neurotrophic keratouveitis. Histopathological alterations were studied by means of morphometry, light and electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, morphometric data showed that the RPE alterations noted in AMD may also develop in normal aging, 10-15 years later than appearing in AMD patients. Reduced tear secretion, corneal ulceration and leukocytic infiltration were found in capsaicin (CAP)-treated rats, but this effect was significantly attenuated by PEDF. These findings suggest that PEDF accelerated the recovery of tear secretion and also prevented neurotrophic keratouveitis and vitreoretinal inflammation. PEDF may have a clinical appliI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
