Journal article
Decreased thickness and integrity of the macular elastic layer of Bruch's membrane correspond to the distribution of lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration
The American journal of pathology, Vol.166(1), pp.241-251
01/2005
DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)62248-1
PMCID: PMC1602307
PMID: 15632016
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. In its severest form, choroidal neovessels breach the macular Bruch's membrane, an extracellular matrix compartment comprised of elastin and collagen laminae, and grow into the retina. We sought to determine whether structural properties of the elastic lamina (EL) correspond to the region of the macula that is predilected toward degeneration in AMD. Morphometric assessment of the macular and extramacular regions of 121 human donor eyes, with and without AMD, revealed a statistically significant difference in both the integrity (P < 0.0001) and thickness (P < 0.0001) of the EL between the macular and extramacular regions in donors of all ages. The EL was three to six times thinner and two to five times less abundant in the macula than in the periphery. The integrity of the macular EL was significantly lower in donors with early-stage AMD (P = 0.028), active choroidal neovascularization (P = 0.020), and disciform scars (P = 0.003), as compared to unaffected, age-matched controls. EL thickness was significantly lower only in individuals with disciform scars (P = 0.008). The largest gaps in macular EL integrity were significantly larger in all categories of AMD (each P < 0.0001), as compared to controls. EL integrity, thickness, and gap length in donors with geographic atrophy did not differ from those of controls. These structural properties of the macular EL correspond spatially to the distribution of macular lesions associated with AMD and may help to explain why the macula is more susceptible to degenerative events that occur in this disease.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Decreased thickness and integrity of the macular elastic layer of Bruch's membrane correspond to the distribution of lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration
- Creators
- N H Victor Chong - Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Center for Macular Degeneration, The University of Iowa, 11190E PFP, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA 52240, USAJason KeoninPhil J LuthertChristina I FrennessonDavid M WeingeistRachel L WolfRobert F MullinsGregory S Hageman
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of pathology, Vol.166(1), pp.241-251
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)62248-1
- PMID
- 15632016
- PMCID
- PMC1602307
- ISSN
- 0002-9440
- eISSN
- 1525-2191
- Grant note
- T32 AG000214 / NIA NIH HHS EY014563 / NEI NIH HHS EY11515 / NEI NIH HHS R01 EY011515 / NEI NIH HHS Z01 AG000214 / Intramural NIH HHS R03 EY014563 / NEI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2005
- Academic Unit
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9983979928702771
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