|
|
||||||||
From the 1 Department of Ophthalmology, 2 Biophysics, and 3 Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts.
PURPOSE. To detect and identify, in situ, the lipid composition of drusen, diffuse Bruchs membrane deposits, and sclera in aging human eyes using hot-stage polarizing microscopy (HSPM), a method that allows qualitative determination of lipid subtypes within histologic sections based on morphology and melting temperatures of liquid crystals as monitored by birefringence during heating and cooling.
METHODS. Full-thickness buttons of the central macula and the periphery of human eyes from 17 patients were fixed in 5% calcium-buffered formalin. Frozen sections were stained with oil red O or Sudan black or were analyzed by HSPM.
RESULTS. Birefringent anisotropic droplets ("maltese crosses") with melting characteristics of cholesterol esters were identified within diffuse Bruchs membrane deposits, drusen, and sclera. Deposits that melted from crystal to oil without any maltese cross formation when cooled were present in the sclera and are consistent with triglyceride-rich deposits. Deposits with optical properties consistent with phospholipids were identified in a single aged eye. Eyes from young donors did not show these changes.
CONCLUSIONS. HSPM is a valuable technique for evaluating the nature of lipid deposits in aging eyes. Further studies are warranted to determine whether similar changes are also present in eyes with age-related macular degeneration.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
J.-D. Huang, C. A. Curcio, and M. Johnson Morphometric Analysis of Lipoprotein-like Particle Accumulation in Aging Human Macular Bruch's Membrane Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., June 1, 2008; 49(6): 2721 - 2727. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
U. Schmidt-Erfurth, M. Rudolf, M. Funk, C. Hofmann-Rummelt, N.-S. Franz-Haas, Z. Aherrahrou, and U. Schlotzer-Schrehardt Ultrastructural Changes in a Murine Model of Graded Bruch Membrane Lipoidal Degeneration and Corresponding VEGF164 Detection Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2008; 49(1): 390 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N Dashti, G McGwin, C Owsley, and C A Curcio Plasma apolipoproteins and risk for age related maculopathy Br. J. Ophthalmol., August 1, 2006; 90(8): 1028 - 1033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.-M. Li, M. E. Clark, M. F. Chimento, and C. A. Curcio Apolipoprotein localization in isolated drusen and retinal apolipoprotein gene expression. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., July 1, 2006; 47(7): 3119 - 3128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.-M. Li, B. H. Chung, J. B. Presley, G. Malek, X. Zhang, N. Dashti, L. Li, J. Chen, K. Bradley, H. S. Kruth, et al. Lipoprotein-like Particles and Cholesteryl Esters in Human Bruch's Membrane: Initial Characterization Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., July 1, 2005; 46(7): 2576 - 2586. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.-M. Li, J. B. Presley, X. Zhang, N. Dashti, B. H. Chung, N. E. Medeiros, C. Guidry, and C. A. Curcio Retina expresses microsomal triglyceride transfer protein: implications for age-related maculopathy J. Lipid Res., April 1, 2005; 46(4): 628 - 640. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Lengyel, A. Tufail, H. A. Hosaini, P. Luthert, A. C. Bird, and G. Jeffery Association of Drusen Deposition with Choroidal Intercapillary Pillars in the Aging Human Eye Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., September 1, 2004; 45(9): 2886 - 2892. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. A. Zarbin Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Arch Ophthalmol, April 1, 2004; 122(4): 598 - 614. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. G. Espinosa-Heidmann, J. Sall, E. P. Hernandez, and S. W. Cousins Basal Laminar Deposit Formation in APO B100 Transgenic Mice: Complex Interactions between Dietary Fat, Blue Light, and Vitamin E Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2004; 45(1): 260 - 266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G McGwin Jr, C Owsley, C A Curcio, and R J Crain The association between statin use and age related maculopathy Br. J. Ophthalmol., September 1, 2003; 87(9): 1121 - 1125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. W. Ruberti, C. A. Curcio, C. L. Millican, B. P. M. Menco, J.-D. Huang, and M. Johnson Quick-Freeze/Deep-Etch Visualization of Age-Related Lipid Accumulation in Bruch's Membrane Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2003; 44(4): 1753 - 1759. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Malek, C.-M. Li, C. Guidry, N. E. Medeiros, and C. A. Curcio Apolipoprotein B in Cholesterol-Containing Drusen and Basal Deposits of Human Eyes with Age-Related Maculopathy Am. J. Pathol., February 1, 2003; 162(2): 413 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |