Journal article
Ghost vessels in the eye: Cell free choriocapillaris domains in atrophic age-related macular degeneration
Experimental eye research, Vol.248, 110128
11/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110128
PMCID: PMC11532014
PMID: 39419369
Abstract
The choriocapillaris is a dense vascular bed in the inner choroid that supplies the photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). While loss of choriocapillaris density has been described in association with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), whether these changes are primary or secondary to RPE degenerative changes in AMD has been debated. In this study we characterized choriocapillaris loss by quantifying “ghost” vessels in a series of 99 human donor maculae labeled with the UEA-I lectin, and found significant increases in early-intermediate AMD and a greater difference in geographic atrophy in areas with intact RPE. Eyes were genotyped at the CFH Tyr402His locus, and those homozygous for the His allele showed significantly more ghost vessels than those with other genotypes. When only non-AMD eyes were evaluated, His homozygotes had increased ghost vessel density but this trend did not reach statistical significance. These results support the notion that choriocapillaris death often precedes RPE degeneration in AMD and that this loss is an important therapeutic consideration for AMD.
•Ghost vessels in the choriocapillaris are nonperfused lumens that persist after endothelial death.•Density of ghost vessels was measured in human donor maculae with early to advanced AMD and controls.•Genotyping was also performed at the CFH Y402H locus.•Advancing AMD and to a lesser extent genotype was associated with density of ghost vessels.•Relevance to therapy is discussed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Ghost vessels in the eye: Cell free choriocapillaris domains in atrophic age-related macular degeneration
- Creators
- Robert F. Mullins - University of IowaMiles J. Flamme-Wiese - University of IowaEmma M. Navratil - University of IowaErin A. Boese - University of IowaKatayoun Varzavand - University of Iowa, The University of Iowa Institute for Vision ResearchMegan J. Riker - University of IowaKai Wang - University of IowaEdwin M. Stone - University of IowaBudd A. Tucker - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Experimental eye research, Vol.248, 110128
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110128
- PMID
- 39419369
- PMCID
- PMC11532014
- NLM abbreviation
- Exp Eye Res
- ISSN
- 0014-4835
- eISSN
- 1096-0007
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- NIH: EY-024605, EY-025580
Supported in part by NIH grants EY-024605, EY-025580 and the Sramek Charitable Trust.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2024
- Academic Unit
- The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; John and Marcia Carver Nonprofit Genetic Testing Laboratory; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984736613002771
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