Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Mitochondrial abnormalities in ageing macular photoreceptors

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Martin Barron, Dr Margaret Johnson, Dr Richard Andrews, Michael Clarke, Philip Griffiths, Dr Langping He, Dr Steve Durham, Emeritus Professor Doug Turnbull

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

PURPOSE. To evaluate somatic mitochondrial (mt)DNA mutations in the macula during ageing. METHODS. Ten 30-μm cryostat sections from the macula (foveal and perifoveal regions) and peripheral retina of 14 donors (aged 14-94 years) were cut for cytochrome c oxidase cytochemistry. The photoreceptor layer was microdissected and DNA extracted for 4977-bp mtDNA (mtDNA4977) quantification using PCR. Dual cytochemistry for cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase allowed the detection of cytochrome c oxidase-deficient cones. RESULTS. Findings showed a progressive accumulation of mtDNA4977 from ages 14 to 94 years. From ages 14 to 60 years there was an increase from 0.006% to 0.25%, and from ages 60 to 94 years there was a steeper increase from 0.25% to 5.39%. Counts of cones in the dual-reacted preparations showed more cytochrome c oxidase-deficient cones in the foveal region than elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS. The results show that mitochondrial DNA deletions and cytochrome c oxidase-deficient cones accumulate in the ageing retina, particularly in the foveal region. These defects may contribute to the changes in macular function observed in ageing and age-related maculopathy.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Clarke MP; Barron MJ; Andrews RM; Durham S; Johnson MA; Turnbull DM; Griffiths PG; Bristow E; He L

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science

Year: 2001

Volume: 42

Issue: 12

Pages: 3016-3022

Print publication date: 01/01/2001

ISSN (print): 0146-0404

ISSN (electronic): 1552-5783

Publisher: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11687550

PubMed id: 11687550


Share