Cell culture model that mimics drusen formation and triggers complement activation associated with age-related macular degeneration.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cell-culture model that mimics several key aspects of early stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These include accumulation of sub-RPE deposits that contain molecular constituents of human drusen, and activation of complement leading to formation of deposit-associated terminal complement complexes. Abundant sub-RPE deposits that are rich in apolipoprotein E (APOE), a prominent drusen constituent, are formed by RPE cells grown on porous supports. Exposure to human serum results in selective, deposit-associated accumulation of additional known drusen components, including vitronectin, clusterin, and serum amyloid P, thus suggesting that specific protein-protein interactions contribute to the accretion of plasma proteins during

SUBMITTER: Johnson LV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3215058 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature