Cited by 101Retinal Diseases and TreatmentsRetinal Imaging and AnalysisRetinal Development and Disorders

On the origin of proteins in human drusen: The meet, greet and stick hypothesis

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Bergen, Arthur A., Arya, Swati, Koster, Céline, Pilgrim, Matthew G., Wiatrek-Moumoulidis, Dagmara, van der Spek, Peter J., Hauck, Stefanie M., Boon, Camiel J.F. +3 more·2019·Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

Abstract

Retinal drusen formation is not only a clinical hallmark for the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) but also for other disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and renal diseases. The initiation and growth of drusen is poorly understood. Attention has focused on lipids and minerals, but relatively little is known about the origin of drusen-associated proteins and how they are retained in the space between the basal lamina of the retinal pigment epithelium and the inner collagenous layer space (sub-RPE-BL space). While some authors suggested that drusen proteins are mainly derived from cellular debris from processed photoreceptor outer segments and the RPE, others suggest a choroidal cell or blood origin. Here, we reviewed and supplemented the existing literature on the molecular composition of the retina/choroid complex, to gain a more complete understanding of the sources of proteins in drusen. These "drusenomics" studies showed that a considerable proportion of currently identified drusen proteins is uniquely originating from the blood. A smaller, but still large fraction of drusen proteins comes from both blood and/or RPE. Only a small proportion of drusen proteins is uniquely derived from the photoreceptors or choroid. We next evaluated how drusen components may "meet, greet and stick" to each other and/or to structures like hydroxyapatite spherules to form macroscopic deposits in the sub-RPE-BL space. Finally, we discuss implications of our findings with respect to the previously proposed homology between drusenogenesis in AMD and plaque formation in atherosclerosis.

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Authors
Bergen, A. A., Arya, S., Koster, C., Pilgrim, M. G., Wiatrek-Moumoulidis, D., van der Spek, P. J., Hauck, S. M., Boon, C. J. F., Emri, E., Stewart, A. J., & Lengyel, I.
Affiliations
  • Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NL)
  • University of St Andrews (GB)
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • University College London (GB)
  • Helmholtz Munich (DE)
  • Leiden University Medical Center (NL)
  • Queen's University Belfast (GB)
Corresponding author
Bergen, Arthur A.
Venue
Progress in Retinal and Eye Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-05
Volume
70
Pages
55-84
ISSN
1350-9462 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2905434803
Cited by
101
References
303
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 7
FWCI
1.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Progress in Retinal and Eye Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KNAW Research Portal (The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) (publishedVersion)
  • St Andrews Research Repository (St Andrews Research Repository) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Leiden Repository (Leiden University) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • KNAW research portal (Royal Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW)) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • de Algemene Nederlandse Vereniging ter Voorkoming van Blindheid (ANVVB)
  • de Stichting Blinden-Penning
  • de Gelderse Blinden Stichting
  • de Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden (LSBS)
  • Stichting Oogfonds Nederland
  • Stichting MD Fonds
  • Stichting Retina Nederland Fonds
  • Uitzicht (2011-6, 2014-7)
  • de Rotterdamse Stichting Blindenbelangen (RSB)
  • de Haagse Stichting Blindenhulp
  • Stichting Lijf en Leven
  • Stichting voor Ooglijders
  • ZonMW (446001002)
  • Bill Brown Charitable Trust
  • Moorfields Eye Hospital Special Trustees
  • Fight for Sight
  • European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (634479)
  • Bright Focus Foundation (M2015370)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal Diseases and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Retinal Imaging and Analysis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Retinal Development and Disorders
Keywords
retinal drusen, age-related macular degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor outer segments, choroid, drusen formation, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease
MeSH terms
Eye Proteins, Humans, Retinal Drusen, Bruch Membrane, Proteome, Proteomics, Retinal Pigment Epithelium

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