Abstract

Deposition of extra cellular material is a feature of retinal ageing resulting in reduced outer retinal perfusion that can be associated with disease. This has been documented for Bruch’s membrane (BM) and is elevated in mice that are complement factor H knock outs (Cfh-/-) and proposed as a model for macular degeneration. Here we ask if aged deposition occurs to the outer retinal blood supply before transmission across BM in 12 month old C57Bl and Cfh-/- mice and if differences exist at this level between these mice. We show arterial deposition of age related proteins complement component C3 with immunostaining and Western blot. Results showed deposition of C3 in all internal lamina of choroid blood vessels and three fragments were revealed from western blot which decrease significantly in Cfh-/- mice choroid.

Key words: Choroid, Complement component C3, Immunostaining, Western blot