Loss of a 'youth' protein may lead to aging

Mice without the protective protein in their eyes developed age-related macular degeneration-like symptoms

Age-related retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can lead to blindness because the retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye

"PEDF is referred to as a 'young' protein because it is abundant in young retinas, but it declines with age," said Patricia Becerra, Ph.

The retina consists of several layers of cells that work together to recognize and interpret the light signals that the brain uses to produce vision

RPE from mice without Serpin1 accumulated more lipids than wild-type mice

Photoreceptor cells lose the ability to create new segments, and if the RPE can't feed them the recycled components at the tips of the old outer segments, they lose the ability to detect light

Previous research by Ivan Rebustini's team and others has shown that PEDF protects retinal cells, preventing cell damage and abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels

This decomposition step is a critical part of the outer segment recovery process

To study the role of PEDF in the retina, Becerra and colleagues studied a mouse model (Serpin1) lacking the PEDF gene

The RPE cells also turned on four genes associated with senescence and cellular senescence, and the PEDF receptor levels were significantly lower than normal

"One of the most striking things was the reduction of PEDF receptors on the surface of RPE cells in mice lacking the PEDF protein," said the study's lead author, Dr.

While the retinas of these PEDF-negative mice appeared normal at first glance, these new findings suggest that PEDF plays a protective role, helping the retinas withstand trauma and aging-related wear and tear

Ivan Rebustini said: "We have always wondered whether the loss of PEDF is caused by aging or is contributing to

Reference: “PEDF Deletion Induces Senescence and Defects in Phagocytosis in the RPE” by Ivan T.