Elsevier

Experimental Eye Research

Volume 133, April 2015, Pages 3-18
Experimental Eye Research

Structure and function of the interphotoreceptor matrix surrounding retinal photoreceptor cells

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2015.02.017Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • The IPM is a highly organized structure between the photoreceptors and the RPE.

  • The IPM components are quite different from the typical extracellular matrix.

  • The IPM is important for maintaining the photoreceptors and RPE.

  • Characteristic changes in IPM components occur in retinal degenerations.

  • Understanding IPM-mediated pathology may develop new therapeutic targets.

Abstract

The interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) is a highly organized structure with interconnected domains surrounding cone and rod photoreceptor cells and extends throughout the subretinal space. Based on known roles of the extracellular matrix in other tissues, the IPM is thought to have several prominent functions including serving as a receptor for growth factors, regulating retinoid transport, participating in cytoskeletal organization in surrounding cells, and regulation of oxygen and nutrient transport. In addition, a number of studies suggest that the IPM also may play a significant role in the etiology of retinal degenerative disorders. In this review, we describe the present knowledge concerning the structure and function of the IPM under physiological and pathological conditions.

Keywords

Retina
Photoreceptor cell
Interphotoreceptor matrix
Interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein
Proteoglycans
Growth factors
Inherited retinal degenerative disorders
Age-related macular degeneration

Abbreviations

AMD
age-related macular degeneration
AVMD
adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy
BM
basement membrane
BMD
Best macular dystrophy
CNV
choroidal neovascularization
ECM
extracellular matrix
HA
hyaluronan
IMPG
interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan
IPM
interphotoreceptor matrix
IRBP
interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein
MMP
matrix metalloproteinase
PEDF
pigment epithelium-derived factor
PNA
peanut agglutinin
RCS
Royal College of Surgeons
RPE
retinal pigmented epithelium
SPACR
sialoprotein associated with cones and rods
TIMP
tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1
VEGF
vascular endothelial growth factor
VMD
vitelliform macular dystrophies
WGA
wheat germ agglutinin

Cited by (0)