Biomaterial Database

The dependence of retinal degeneration caused by the rhodopsin P23H mutation on light exposure and vitamin a deprivation. 2010

Beatrice M Tam, and Ali Qazalbash, and Hak-Choel Lee, and Orson L Moritz

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the influence of light and vitamin A on retinal degeneration in an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa caused by the rhodopsin P23H mutation. METHODS Retinal degeneration was examined in transgenic Xenopus laevis expressing P23H rhodopsin, in which retinal degeneration is completely rescued by preventing light exposure. The sensitivity of this retinal degeneration to varying intensities, wavelengths, and durations of light exposure, and to vitamin A deprivation was characterized. RESULTS Green light was the most effective inducer of retinal degeneration in this model. Retinal degeneration was induced by prolonged exposure to green light and was prevented by filters that block short wavelengths. Reducing the duration of light exposure prevented retinal degeneration, even when the light intensity was proportionally increased. Vitamin A deprivation also induced retinal degeneration associated with defects in P23H rhodopsin biosynthesis. Vitamin A deprivation did not cause retinal degeneration in nontransgenic animals. CONCLUSIONS The mechanism of retinal degeneration in this animal model of RP involves the interaction of light with rhodopsin rather than with free chromophore or bleached rhodopsin. These results may explain the clinical benefits of vitamin A for patients with retinitis pigmentosa and may indicate that pharmacological chaperones are a viable approach to RP therapy. Results also suggest strategies for minimizing RD in patients through controlling light exposure duration or wavelengths.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008027	Light	That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range.	Light, Visible,Photoradiation,Radiation, Visible,Visible Radiation,Photoradiations,Radiations, Visible,Visible Light,Visible Radiations
D008297	Male		Males
D010783	Photometry	Measurement of the various properties of light.	Photometries
D011833	Radiation Injuries, Experimental	Experimentally produced harmful effects of ionizing or non-ionizing RADIATION in CHORDATA animals.	Experimental Radiation Injuries,Injuries, Experimental Radiation,Experimental Radiation Injury,Radiation Injury, Experimental
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D012162	Retinal Degeneration	A retrogressive pathological change in the retina, focal or generalized, caused by genetic defects, inflammation, trauma, vascular disease, or aging. Degeneration affecting predominantly the macula lutea of the retina is MACULAR DEGENERATION. (Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p304)	Degeneration, Retinal,Degenerations, Retinal,Retinal Degenerations
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012243	Rhodopsin	A purplish-red, light-sensitive pigment found in RETINAL ROD CELLS of most vertebrates. It is a complex consisting of a molecule of ROD OPSIN and a molecule of 11-cis retinal (RETINALDEHYDE). Rhodopsin exhibits peak absorption wavelength at about 500 nm.	Visual Purple
D014801	Vitamin A	Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of CAROTENOIDS found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products.	Retinol,11-cis-Retinol,3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol, (all-E)-Isomer,All-Trans-Retinol,Aquasol A,Vitamin A1,All Trans Retinol
D014802	Vitamin A Deficiency	A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of VITAMIN A in the diet, characterized by NIGHT BLINDNESS and other ocular manifestations such as dryness of the conjunctiva and later of the cornea (XEROPHTHALMIA). Vitamin A deficiency is a very common problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries as a consequence of famine or shortages of vitamin A-rich foods. In the United States it is found among the urban poor, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with malabsorption. (From Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 19th ed, p1179)	Deficiency, Vitamin A,Deficiencies, Vitamin A,Vitamin A Deficiencies