title: Structure and function of the interphotoreceptor matrix surrounding retinal photoreceptor cells.
abstract: The interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) is a highly organized structure with interconnected domains surrounding cone and rod photoreceptor cells and extends throughout the subretinal space. Based on known roles of the extracellular matrix in other tissues, the IPM is thought to have several prominent functions including serving as a receptor for growth factors, regulating retinoid transport, participating in cytoskeletal organization in surrounding cells, and regulation of oxygen and nutrient transport. In addition, a number of studies suggest that the IPM also may play a significant role in the etiology of retinal degenerative disorders. In this review, we describe the present knowledge concerning the structure and function of the IPM under physiological and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan. Electronic address: mako@med.akita-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshitomi
mesh_terms: D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010784:Photomicrography; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Growth factors; Inherited retinal degenerative disorders; Interphotoreceptor matrix; Interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein; Photoreceptor cell; Proteoglycans; Retina