RPE pseudopods maintain photoreceptor outer segment renewal despite subretinal space expansion in <i>Adam9</i> knockout mice.

ABSTRACT: Vision begins in the outer segment compartment of photoreceptor cells, which is constantly renewed through the addition of membrane material at its base and ingestion of mature membranes at its tip by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The close apposition of outer segments to the RPE is believed to be critical for maintaining this renewal process. Yet, in several retinal diseases, expansion of the subretinal space separating photoreceptors from the RPE does not immediately impact photoreceptor functionality. Here, we analyzed outer segment function and renewal in the Adam9 knockout mouse characterized by a major expansion of the subretinal space. Surprisingly, photoreceptor-RPE separation affected neither the sensitivity of photoreceptor light-responses nor the normal rate of ou

SUBMITTER: Lewis TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12724657 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature