In:
Disease Models & Mechanisms, The Company of Biologists
Abstract:
Subretinal fibrosis results in local destruction of retinal structures and permanent vision loss, representing the end stage of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Histological examination of fibrotic specimens from AMD patients has uncovered a wide range of cellular and acellular components. However, their origins and roles in fibrosis remain largely unexplored. Using laser-induced photocoagulation model with Collagen 1α1-GFP reporter mice, we demonstrate by cell-lineage tracing that a subset of pericytes associating with choroidal microvasculature are activated upon injury and infiltrate into subretinal space as significant components of fibrotic lesions. In contrast to their choroidal precursors, infiltrating pericytes acquire stellate-like structures, upregulate expression of fibrogenic molecules and colocalize with extracellular fibrotic scar. Collectively, our results identify choroidal perivascular niche as a novel source of subretinal fibrosis after photocoagulation and suggest that collagen 1-expressing pericytes are potential targets for therapeutic intervention to suppress subretinal fibrosis and preserve vision.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1754-8411
,
1754-8403
Language:
English
Publisher:
The Company of Biologists
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2451104-3