Initial observations of key features of age-related macular degeneration in APOE targeted replacement mice.

摘要: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a late-onset, neurodegenerative disease of the retina and leading cause catastrophic vision loss in elderly. AMD usually occurs people over age 65 years (Javitt et al., 2003) accounts for approximately 50% registered blindness Western Europe North America (Mitchell 1998; Vingerling 1995a). It develops as either dry AMD, geographic atrophy, or wet (exudative) (Bird 1995; Green, 1999). Dry characterized by presence sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposits including drusen, basal linear laminar (Curcio Millican, 1999; Sarks, 1976). Geographic atrophy RPE exudative choroidal neovascularization (CNV) (1991) more recently, retinal angiomatous proliferation (Yannuzzi 2001). In with CNV, tufts newly formed, functionally incompetent, blood vessels proliferate from choroid, break through thickened fragile Bruch’s membrane (Grossniklaus 2004), extend laterally into sub-RPE (Sarks 1980; Tobe 1998a). These turn, may erode RPE, infiltrate neural sensory retina, communicate circulation what has been referred to retinal-choroidal anastomosis. This common end stage disciform