biostudies-literatureSaadane ANEI NIH HHSResearch to Prevent BlindnessF. M. Kirby FoundationNational Institutes of Health2368-2382https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6277162biostudies-literatureUnknown59(12)Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a component of lipid-transporting particles and a recognition ligand for receptors, which bind these particles. The APOE isoform ε2 is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration; nevertheless, APOE absence in humans and mice does not significantly affect the retina. We found that retinal cholesterol biosynthesis and the levels of retinal cholesterol were increased in <i>Apoe^-/-</i> mice, whereas cholesterol elimination by metabolism was decreased. No focal cholesterol deposits were observed in the <i>Apoe^-/-</i> retina. Retinal proteomics identified the most abundant cholesterol-related proteins in WT mice and revealed that, of these cholesterol-related proteins, only APOA4 had increased expression in the <i>Apoe^-/-</i> reJournal of lipid researchMechanisms that minimize retinal impact of apolipoprotein E absence.PMC6277162P30 EY001583EY015240EY018383,EY11373,P30 EY011373R01 EY018383R01 EY015240El-Darzi NPikuleva IAMast NSaadane AAlnemri APetrov ADao TDunaief JLSong YfalseMechanisms that minimize retinal impact of apolipoprotein E absence.Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a component of lipid-transporting particles and a recognition ligand for receptors, which bind these particles. The APOE isoform ε2 is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration; nevertheless, APOE absence in humans and mice does not significantly affect the retina. We found that retinal cholesterol biosynthesis and the levels of retinal cholesterol were increased in <i>Apoe^-/-</i> mice, whereas cholesterol elimination by metabolism was decreased. No focal cholesterol deposits were observed in the <i>Apoe^-/-</i> retina. Retinal proteomics identified the most abundant cholesterol-related proteins in WT mice and revealed that, of these cholesterol-related proteins, only APOA4 had increased expression in the <i>Apoe^-/-</i> re2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Dec2025-04-07T12:28:51.179Z2025-04-07T12:28:51.179ZS-EPMC62771623033315510.1194/jlr.M09004310.1194/jlr.m090043