The Bst locus on mouse chromosome 16 is associated with age-related subretinal neovascularization

RS Smith, SWM John, A Zabeleta… - Proceedings of the …, 2000 - National Acad Sciences
RS Smith, SWM John, A Zabeleta, MT Davisson, NL Hawes, B Chang
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000National Acad Sciences
Ocular neovascularization is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries and
often causes rapid loss of vision in age-related macular degeneration. Acute visual loss is
most often due to hemorrhage from new vessels that have extended from the choroid into
the subretinal space. Growth of abnormal vessels beneath the retina in this condition is
known as subretinal neovascularization (SRN). Age-related animal models of macular
degeneration and SRN have not been described. Current animal models of SRN depend on …
Ocular neovascularization is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries and often causes rapid loss of vision in age-related macular degeneration. Acute visual loss is most often due to hemorrhage from new vessels that have extended from the choroid into the subretinal space. Growth of abnormal vessels beneath the retina in this condition is known as subretinal neovascularization (SRN). Age-related animal models of macular degeneration and SRN have not been described. Current animal models of SRN depend on chemical or physical stimuli to initiate growth of subretinal vessels. The genes responsible for age-related human macular degeneration with SRN have not been firmly identified. We report an angiogenic phenotype in Bst/+ mice that is age-related, clinically evident, and resembles human SRN. This represents a spontaneous, genetically determined model of SRN. Bst/+ mice offer the possibility of exploring the molecular mechanisms of SRN without the need for exogenous agents.
National Acad Sciences