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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 6/2008

01-06-2008 | Retinal Disorders

Are low inflammatory reactions involved in exudative age-related macular degeneration?

Morphological and immunhistochemical analysis of AMD associated with basal deposits

Authors: A. Lommatzsch, P. Hermans, K. D. Müller, N. Bornfeld, A. C. Bird, D. Pauleikhoff

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 6/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

Basal laminar and linear deposits (BLD) are associated with the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Therefore, analysis of BLD composition may provide further information concerning the pathogenesis of BLD and CNV in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

BLD in 25 specimens of surgically removed CNV were examined, using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, for extracellular matrix proteins and their modulating enzymes, and for cell markers and proteins involved in inflammatory processes. In addition, ultrastructural electron microscopic analysis (EM) was performed.

Results

The chemical and structural composition of all the BLD was similar. Only the inner aspect of the BLD contained laminin and collagen IV, which corresponded to a new RPE basal lamina upon EM analysis. The extracellular matrix protein predominantly found in all layers of BLD was vitronectin, which was seen as a homogeneous material within the BLD upon EM analysis. The metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 could only be detected in the inner aspect, while MMP-7 and TIMP-3 were observed predominantly in the outer aspect of BLD. In this area, staining for phospholipids and less intensely for neutral lipids was also visible. The labelling of complement complexes C3 and C5b-9 was intensely positive, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected in all BLDs.

Conclusions

Diffuse deposits such as BLD appear consistently with the development of CNV in AMD. They consist of extracellular matrix components and predominantly vitronectin. However, activated complement and VEGF could also be detected. The results of the current study may support the hypothesis that inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of BLD and CNV in AMD.
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Metadata
Title
Are low inflammatory reactions involved in exudative age-related macular degeneration?
Morphological and immunhistochemical analysis of AMD associated with basal deposits
Authors
A. Lommatzsch
P. Hermans
K. D. Müller
N. Bornfeld
A. C. Bird
D. Pauleikhoff
Publication date
01-06-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 6/2008
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-007-0749-4

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