Retinal Phenotyping of Ferrochelatase Mutant Mice Reveals Protoporphyrin Accumulation and Reduced Neovascular Response.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Heme depletion, through inhibition of ferrochelatase (FECH), blocks retinal and choroidal neovascularization. Both pharmacologic FECH inhibition and a partial loss-of-function Fech mutation (Fechm1Pas) are associated with decreased neovascularization. However, the ocular physiology of Fechm1Pas mice under basal conditions has not been characterized. Here, we aimed to characterize the retinal phenotype of Fechm1Pas mice.

Methods

We monitored retinal vasculature at postnatal day 17, 2 months, and 6 months in Fechm1Pas homozygotes, heterozygotes, and their wild-type littermates. We characterized Fech substrate protoporphyrin (PPIX) fluorescence in the eye (excitation = 403 nm, emission = 628 nm), retinal function by electroretinogram, visual acuity by optomotor reflex,

SUBMITTER: Sardar Pasha SPB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7910629 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature