- Resource Types
- Resource Languages
- Institutional Repository
Keep Browsing
WHDL - 00011068
Visit the home page
About Site Language
WHDL is viewable in multiple languages. Use the pull-down menu to select a language to view the site.
I changed my language, but I’m still seeing resources in the other languages?
If a resource or text has not been translated into your selected language, it will appear in the initially added language. We are always looking for help translating these resources. If you can help, contact us!
Cover Image
Description / Abstract
Honors Project Abstract: Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) is a rare, late onset, degenerative eye disease whereby the photoreceptors (cones and rods) of the macula become diseased and slowly degenerate, thus reducing vision. These photoreceptors are subjected to harsh stresses, which cause them to shed the outer 10% of each cell on a nightly basis. This results in the build up of debris which another cell type, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) removes and recycles every night to reveal a fresh photoreceptor free of debris4. Excessive debris accumulated between the retina and RPE cells has been consistently observed in post mortem retinal samples from patients with MacTel .3 We hypothesize that patients with MacTel may have RPE cells with reduced functionality, which ultimately reduces their efficacy of clearing debris and contributes to debris accumulation over time, leading to photoreceptor death and loss of vision.2 To test this hypothesis, iPS cells will be collected from MacTel patients and differentiated into RPE cells. These cells will then be compared with iPS-derived RPE from normal (non-diseased), age-matched controls for the efficiency of rhodopsin degradation, a function of normal operating RPE cells. We will describe efforts to create and optimize a phagocytosis assay whereby photoreceptor outer segments are ‘fed’ to normal RPE and then the time-course for degradation of internalized rhodopsin is assayed using western blot analyses. This work will 1) provide a key functional assay that is optimized for future use with the more precious iPS-derived RPE, and 2) establish a baseline of normal RPE phagocytosis and debris processing.
Arete: The PLNU Honors Journal
Download this Resource
Download Free from WHDL
-
Download as a PDF
File Size Small - 855 KB
- Subject Index
Keywordseye disease, Rhodopsin Degradation, Macular Telangiectasia
Degree AwardedBachelor of Science in Biology
Awarding InstitutionPoint Loma Nazarene University
Committee MembersAriane Jansma, Ashley Nuckles-Cuevas
Supervisor or ChairMichael Dorrell
Peer Reviewed?No
Collections With This Resource
PLNU Undergraduate Honors Projects 2016-2020
81 Resources
- English