Receptor MER Tyrosine Kinase Proto-oncogene (MERTK) Is Not Required for Transfer of Bis-retinoids to the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Accumulation of bis-retinoids in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is a hallmark of aging and retinal disorders such as Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration. These aberrant fluorescent condensation products, including di-retinoid-pyridinium-ethanolamine (A2E), are thought to be transferred to RPE cells primarily through phagocytosis of the photoreceptor outer segments. However, we observed by two-photon microscopy that mouse retinas incapable of phagocytosis due to a deficiency of the c-Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (Mertk) nonetheless contained fluorescent retinoid condensation material in their RPE. Primary RPE cells from Mertk^-/- mice also accumulated fluorescent products in vitro Finally, quantification of A2E demonstrated the acquisition of retin

SUBMITTER: Palczewska G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5207201 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature