Angiographic Changes of Blood Vessels in the Photoreceptor Degenerative Mouse Retina

Tortuous, or twisted, arteries and veins are commonly
observed in humans and animals diagnosed with
diseases caused by the degeneration of photoreceptor
cells. However, the mechanisms of their formation
and development are poorly understood. We used
immunocytochemical, confocal imaging and computer
remodeling techniques to map the angiographic
changes in the photoreceptor degenerative mouse
model, pde6d (rd1) mice. We found that mechanical instability and rewiring in the distal retina of rd1 mice
could be mechanisms for the initiation and development
of these tortuous vessels. We also found that in
the late stages of retinal degeneration, severe tortuosity
leads to ischemic attack in the distal retina. This
study provides valuable insights into understanding
the pathologic changes of retinal blood vessels in the
development of diseases in humans and animals.