Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.

<h4>Background</h4>Cumulative oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays key roles in retinal antioxidant and detoxification responses. The purposes...

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Main Authors: Zhenyang Zhao, Yan Chen, Jian Wang, Paul Sternberg, Michael L Freeman, Hans E Grossniklaus, Jiyang Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2011-04-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0019456&type=printable
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author Zhenyang Zhao
Yan Chen
Jian Wang
Paul Sternberg
Michael L Freeman
Hans E Grossniklaus
Jiyang Cai
author_facet Zhenyang Zhao
Yan Chen
Jian Wang
Paul Sternberg
Michael L Freeman
Hans E Grossniklaus
Jiyang Cai
author_sort Zhenyang Zhao
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Cumulative oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays key roles in retinal antioxidant and detoxification responses. The purposes of this study were to determine whether NRF2-deficient mice would develop AMD-like retinal pathology with aging and to explore the underlying mechanisms.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>Eyes of both wild type and Nrf2(-/-) mice were examined in vivo by fundus photography and electroretinography (ERG). Structural changes of the outer retina in aged animals were examined by light and electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence labeling. Our results showed that Nrf2(-/-) mice developed age-dependent degenerative pathology in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Drusen-like deposits, accumulation of lipofuscin, spontaneous choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and sub-RPE deposition of inflammatory proteins were present in Nrf2(-/-) mice after 12 months. Accumulation of autophagy-related vacuoles and multivesicular bodies was identified by electron microscopy both within the RPE and in Bruch's membrane of aged Nrf2(-/-) mice.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Our data suggest that disruption of Nfe2l2 gene increased the vulnerability of outer retina to age-related degeneration. NRF2-deficient mice developed ocular pathology similar to cardinal features of human AMD and deregulated autophagy is likely a mechanistic link between oxidative injury and inflammation. The Nrf2(-/-) mice can provide a novel model for mechanistic and translational research on AMD.
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spelling doaj-art-0039f7b676cc4d46bf1bc9516b6ca0812025-08-20T03:44:55ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-04-0164e1945610.1371/journal.pone.0019456Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.Zhenyang ZhaoYan ChenJian WangPaul SternbergMichael L FreemanHans E GrossniklausJiyang Cai<h4>Background</h4>Cumulative oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays key roles in retinal antioxidant and detoxification responses. The purposes of this study were to determine whether NRF2-deficient mice would develop AMD-like retinal pathology with aging and to explore the underlying mechanisms.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>Eyes of both wild type and Nrf2(-/-) mice were examined in vivo by fundus photography and electroretinography (ERG). Structural changes of the outer retina in aged animals were examined by light and electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence labeling. Our results showed that Nrf2(-/-) mice developed age-dependent degenerative pathology in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Drusen-like deposits, accumulation of lipofuscin, spontaneous choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and sub-RPE deposition of inflammatory proteins were present in Nrf2(-/-) mice after 12 months. Accumulation of autophagy-related vacuoles and multivesicular bodies was identified by electron microscopy both within the RPE and in Bruch's membrane of aged Nrf2(-/-) mice.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Our data suggest that disruption of Nfe2l2 gene increased the vulnerability of outer retina to age-related degeneration. NRF2-deficient mice developed ocular pathology similar to cardinal features of human AMD and deregulated autophagy is likely a mechanistic link between oxidative injury and inflammation. The Nrf2(-/-) mice can provide a novel model for mechanistic and translational research on AMD.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0019456&type=printable
spellingShingle Zhenyang Zhao
Yan Chen
Jian Wang
Paul Sternberg
Michael L Freeman
Hans E Grossniklaus
Jiyang Cai
Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
PLoS ONE
title Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
title_full Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
title_fullStr Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
title_full_unstemmed Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
title_short Age-related retinopathy in NRF2-deficient mice.
title_sort age related retinopathy in nrf2 deficient mice
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0019456&type=printable
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AT yanchen agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice
AT jianwang agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice
AT paulsternberg agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice
AT michaellfreeman agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice
AT hansegrossniklaus agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice
AT jiyangcai agerelatedretinopathyinnrf2deficientmice