Validating omics analyses using in vivo characterization. Credit: Molecular neurodegeneraration (2025). Doi: 10.1186/s13024-025-00800-9
Vision changes are an invitalable part of aging, but why are more suscepti to age-Related Eye Diseases and Why Do Some Individuals Experience more Severe Decline Thanks? New research from the jackson laboratory (Jax) Reveals that Genetics Play a Key Role in How the Eye Ages, with different Gnetic Backgrounds Influencing Retinal Aging Inject Ways.
The study, published in Molecular neurodegenerarationExamined Age-Related Changes in Zanes and Proteins of Nine Strains of Mice, MIMICKING The Genetic Variable Found in Humans. While All Mice Exhibited Expected Signs of Aging, The Severity and Nature of these changes varied significantly between the nine strains.
A more accurate approach to model eye aging
Traditionally, Studies of Retinal Aging and Disease Have Reelized On A Single Strain of Genetically Identical Mice, Limiting Researchers’ Ability to Understand the Role of Genetic Variaration.
“The Challenge in Study Age-Related Eye Diseases is that aging is heterogenous,” Said Gareth Howll, Professor and Diana Davis Spending Spacer Foundation Chair for Glaucoma Resarech at JAX, WHO LEDO LEDO LEDO LEDO “Observing how aging occurs in one strain of Mice might not be released to all mice – or humans.
In his work, howll and his team leveraged nine strains with different gentic backgrounds designed to better reflect human variability, generating data on agetic and molecular changes in . With their dataset now Publicly availableHowel and his team their findings will help other scientists study aging and Vision Loss – WORK That May Also Improve the Utility of the Eye as a Window to the Brain to the Brain to Predict Neurological Decline.
Gnetic and Protein Analyses Predict Eye Diseases
One of the most significant discoveries in the study was the identifying of two mouse strains that closely resent human retinal diseases.
By Performing Eye Exams-Like What a Human Bold Undergo at a Routine Optometrist Appointment, The Reserars Found That The Watkins Star Line B (WSB) Star Line B (WSB) Strain Developed Characteristics of Age-Age-Age-Age-Age-Age-Age-Age-Age Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa, A Rare Inherited Form of Blindness, While The New Zealand Obese (NZO) Strain, Known for Its Severe Obesity and Diabetes, Developed Diabeloped Diabetic RTIPATHY. Furthermore, Gene and Protein Analysis in Both Strains of Mice Predicated that they would develop common age-Related Eye Diseases.
“It was promising to see that the molecular data we generated predicted specific retinal cell abnormalities in these two strains” said Olivia Marola, a JAX postdoctoral associate and co-first author of the new paper. “When we saw unique changes in nzo’s retinal ganglion cells at the molecular level, sure enough, we saw away drastic functional changes in those that, cells.”
These models will allow results to study how these diseases Progress and Explore Potential Treatments, Explained Michael Maclean, A PostDoCALSOCITE and Co-FIRST AUHORT AATHOR OHORON.
It could also help other scientists choose which mouse models to use in their own aging-Related work or Carry out Further Studies to Pinpoint Individual Genes That is ASOCIATED ACECIATED ACECIATED ACE CCELERATED Aging and eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Retina as biomarker for alzheimer’s
Beyond Vision Research, this Study Could have broader implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Since the retina is a direct extension of the brain, understanding how it ages could provide clues about conditions like alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
“The Eye is a Crucial Organ, and this research fills an important gap in our undersrstanding of aging,” said howll. “But beyond that, the eye is a window into the brain. “
More information:
Olivia J. Marola et al, Genetic Context Modulates Aging and Degendraneration in the Murine Retina, Molecular neurodegeneraration (2025). Doi: 10.1186/s13024-025-00800-9
Citation: Genetically Diverse Mouse Models Reveal Eye Aging Patterns and Brain Health Clues (2025, February 18) retrieved 18 February 2025 from
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