Absence of TGFβ signaling in retinal microglia induces retinal degeneration and exacerbates choroidal neovascularization.

ABSTRACT: Constitutive TGFβ signaling is important in maintaining retinal neurons and blood vessels and is a factor contributing to the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a retinal disease involving neurodegeneration and microglial activation. How TGFβ signaling to microglia influences pathological retinal neuroinflammation is unclear. We discovered that ablation of the TGFβ receptor, TGFBR2, in retinal microglia of adult mice induced abnormal microglial numbers, distribution, morphology, and activation status, and promoted a pathological microglial gene expression profile. TGFBR2-deficient retinal microglia induced secondary gliotic changes in Müller cells, neuronal apoptosis, and decreased light-evoked retinal function reflecting abnormal synaptic transmission. While retinal vasculat

SUBMITTER: Ma W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6342522 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature