A comparison of phagocytosis by the retinal pigment epithelium in normal and delayed amelanotic chickens

Experimental Eye Research
D Lahiri, C F Bailey

Abstract

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs a critical role in maintaining the integrity and renewal of the retinal system by clearing the shed photoreceptor outer segment debris through the process of phagocytosis. If phagocytosis is impaired, accumulation of the debris occurs leading to the degeneration of the retina. Phagocytosis, measured by polyvinyl toluene bead uptake is a normal cell activity exhibited by the embryonic retinal pigment epithelium even before complete differentiation of the neuronal layers. It is significant that embryonic pigment epithelium from either normal or delayed amelanotic (DAM) strain is competent in the process of non-specific particle uptake. In normal chickens non-specific phagocytic activity is observable as early as embryonic day 9 and continues through the rest of the developmental period and throughout adult life. The retinal pigment epithelium in DAM chickens exhibits early phagocytic activity at embryonic day 9 and then through day 16, but by day 19 this function is lost. This loss of phagocytic capacity in RPE of the DAM strain precedes and may be instrumental in the gradual retinal degeneration exhibited by these animals. Specific phagocytosis of rod outer segments (ROS) was examine...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 13, 2000·Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews·J Mey, S Thanos

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