The role of the RPE baasement membrane in the pathogenesis of AMD

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Daniel Pauleikhoff
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: from 2000 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5244006

The pathogenetic orign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is thought to be a result of age-related changes in Bruch's Membrane. These changes are especially visible in the changed morphology of Bruch's Membrane with a specific desposition and composition of proteins and lipids. Previously clinical, genetical, morphological, and lipid biochemical studies revealed indications for a wide variation between individuals during these aging process with genetically determined great individual specifity. In addition a central morphological charactristic of early and late AMD is a splitting of Bruch's Membrane between the basement membrane of RPE cells and the inner collagen layer of Bruch's Membrane as visible in drusen, choroidal neovascularisation, and pigment epithelium detachments. For this splitting of Bruch's Membrane changes in the extracellular matrix of the basement membrane of the RPE cells had to be proposed especially of proteins promoting the adhesion of this structure. This process is associated with the deposition of different lipids in Bruch's Membrane. The aims of the present study are the characterisation as well as the differentiation and definition of the individual specifity and varaiation of age-related changes in the extracellular matrix of Bruch's Membrane in respect to adhesive molecules in the basement of the RPE cells (integrins, collagens I-VIII, vitronectin, laminin, fibronectin). This will be correlated with an analysis of lipids deposited and secundary reactions of different inflammatory markers and growth factors.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1088: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Norbert Bornfeld; Privatdozent Dr. Karl-Dieter Müller