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. 2017 Oct-Dec;12(4):424-428.
doi: 10.4103/jovr.jovr_182_17.

The Role of Mitochondria in AMD: Current Knowledge and Future Applications

Mohammad Riazi-Esfahani  1   2 , Baruch D Kuppermann  1   3 , M Cristina Kenney  1   4
Affiliations

The Role of Mitochondria in AMD: Current Knowledge and Future Applications

Mohammad Riazi-Esfahani et al. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2017 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Mitochondria are organelles which comprise the main respiratory machinery in the eukaryotic cells. In addition to their crucial role in energy production, they have profound effects on apoptosis and retrograde signaling to nucleus. Mitochondria have their own DNA, which codes for different proteins mostly involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Significant changes in the mitochondria of retinal pigment epithelium have been reported in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is correlated with the severity of the disease. Cybrid cell lines that have identical nuclei but mitochondria from different individuals can provide a unique means for studying the relationship between mitochondria and AMD. Different approaches for protection of mitochondria have been introduced which can be considered as potential future treatments for AMD and other age- related disorders.

Keywords: Age-related Macular Degeneration; DNA; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Left: Schematic diagram of multiple mitochondria within a cell. Right: Detailed structure of mitochondrion showing different compartments and location of mtDNA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic of map showing origins of different human mtDNA haplogroups, migration patterns and time estimates. From https://www.mitomap.org.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic showing the creation of transmitochondrial cybrids by fusion of platelets. (originating from AMD or control subjects) with Rho0 RPE cells devoid of mtDNA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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