[Apoptosis in age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of apoptosis in photoreceptor cell death in age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
16 human eyes with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) were studied by histopathology and TDT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique.


RESULTS
The characteristic DNA fragmentation of apoptosis was observed in scattered photoreceptor cells in 6 of 16 eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that apoptosis be one of the important pathways of photoreceptor cell death in age-related macular degeneration.
Xu
G
G
Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200031.
Li
W
W
Tso
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology*