Albumin is not present in the murine interphotoreceptor matrix,or in that of transgenic mice lacking IRBP

[摘要] Purpose: The interphotoreceptor matrix mediates interactions betweenthe retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, and Müller cells. Eachof these cells contributes to specific proteoglycans, proteins, andgrowth factors in the interphotoreceptor matrix. Some components, suchas interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP), are virtuallyunique to the interphotoreceptor matrix. It has been proposed that serumalbumin, thought to be present in the interphotoreceptor matrix, couldact as a surrogate retinoid binding protein within the subretinal spaceof transgenic mice lacking interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein.To address this question, we sought to determine whether albumin ispresent in the interphotoreceptor matrix of IRBP+/+ mice orIRBP-/- mice.Methods: We examined the distribution of albumin in IRBP-/-mice and IRBP+/+ mice using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidasehistochemistry.Results: The distribution of albumin within the corneal stroma,sclera, and capillaries is consistent with previous work. Serum albumincould not be detected in the interphotoreceptor matrix. The distributionof albumin in IRBP-/- mice was similar to that of their wildtypecounterparts.Conclusions: Serum albumin is not a component of theinterphotoreceptor matrix of IRBP+/+ mice or IRBP-/- mice.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理