title: Inhibition of lysosomal degradation in retinal pigment epithelium cells induces exocytosis of phagocytic residual material at the basolateral plasma membrane.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze chloroquine-induced morphological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane (BM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retina-choroid complexes of chloroquine-treated Long-Evans rats were analyzed by electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intercellular spaces between the RPE cells and BM were enlarged. Residual material from phagosomes was released into these enlarged spaces. Debris accumulated within BM and encircled choriocapillaris endothelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a release of undegraded phagocytic material (rod outer segments) into the extracellular space between BM and RPE cells, following inhibition of lysosomal degradation. Electron-dense deposits in BM and choriocapillaris may lead to reduced oxygen and nutrition flow.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Section of Experimental Vitreo-Retinal Surgery, Tübingen, Germany. Swaantje.Peters@gmx.de
authors.forename: Swaantje
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reinthal
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blitgen-Heinecke
authors.forename: Karl-Ulrich
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Bartz-Schmidt
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schraermeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000633:toxicity; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000633:toxicity; D005089:Exocytosis; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine