title: Comparison of morphology of human macular and peripheral Bruch's membrane in older eyes.
abstract: Deposits in macular human Bruch's membrane (BrM) increase with age and have been postulated to be associated with age-related maculopathy. We used two ultrastructural methods to compare these deposits by electron microscopy in macular and peripheral BrM of eight eyes from donors 63-86 years of age. Quick-freeze/deep-etch (QFDE) was used to prepare replicas that showed the ultrastructure of deposits, and osmium-tannic acid-paraphenylenediamine (OTAP) was used to preserve small extracellular lipid particles. We found that an accumulation of lipoprotein-like particles (LLPs) occurred in the peripheral BrM just as it does in the macular region, but with perhaps a somewhat slower time course. The "lipid wall," reported in macular BrM, was also found occasionally in the peripheral regions. The same processes that lead to age-related accumulation of LLPs in macular BrM appear to also occur in the peripheral regions.
authors: Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. m-johnson2@northwestern.edu
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Johnson
authors: Arun
authors: A
authors: Dabholkar
authors: Jiahn-Dar
authors: JD
authors: Huang
authors: J Brett
authors: JB
authors: Presley
authors: Melissa F
authors: MF
authors: Chimento
authors: Christine A
authors: CA
authors: Curcio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005613:Freeze Etching; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution