gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

Degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane in LDL-receptor-deficient mice as a model of age-related macular degeneration

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author M. Rudolf - Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Universität Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel
  • U. Schlötzer-Schrehardt - Universitäts-Augenklinik, Erlangen
  • Z. Aherrazou - Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universität Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck
  • P. Kaczmarek - Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universität Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck
  • J. Roider - Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Universität Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel
  • U. Schmidt-Erfurth - Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde und Optometrie, Wien/A

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogDO.03.09

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog026.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Rudolf et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

To investigate the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with respect to serum lipids in an established arteriosclerosis mouse model with low-density lipoprotein receptor deficiency (LDL-r(-)).

Methods

8-months-old mice (C57BL/6) with and without LDL-r(-) were fed a standard rodent diet or a high fat diet for two months. Animals were sacrificed and serum cholesterol levels were determined. Eyes were examined by light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (EM).

Results

Serum cholesterol levels were significant higher in LDL-r(-) mice compared to control animals without LDL-r(-). In each group levels were even more elevated after high fat diet. Control animals did not exhibit any visible changes by LM/EM. In LDL-r(-) mice the thickness of BM increased with condensation of collagenous und elastic fibers and accumulation of lipid particles. The RPE was flattened; the basal labyrinth and apical microvilli were reduced. These changes were most pronounced in LDL-r(-) mice after high fat diet. In these animals photoreceptors showed a beginning degeneration of outer segments.

Conclusions

LDL-r(-) mice exhibited reproducible degenerative changes in BM, RPE and outer photoreceptor segments. Histologic changes appeared to correlate with serum cholesterol. The changes are similar to those seen in early AMD and may help to investigate the pathogenesis of AMD.