Inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium drives early-onset photoreceptor degeneration in Mertk-associated retinitis pigmentosa
Mercau M, Akalu Y, Mazzoni F, Gyimesi G, Alberto E, Kong Y, Hafler B, Finnemann S, Rothlin C, Ghosh S. Inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium drives early-onset photoreceptor degeneration in Mertk-associated retinitis pigmentosa. Science Advances 2023, 9: eade9459. PMID: 36662852, PMCID: PMC9858494, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9459.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsC-Mer Tyrosine KinaseInflammationMiceProto-Oncogene ProteinsReceptor Protein-Tyrosine KinasesRetinal DegenerationRetinal Pigment EpitheliumRetinitis PigmentosaConceptsRetinal pigment epitheliumEarly-onset photoreceptor degenerationPR degenerationPigment epitheliumPhotoreceptor degenerationMERTK-associated retinitis pigmentosaJAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinibMicroglia activationMonocyte infiltrationInhibitor ruxolitinibMouse modelInflammationLoss of functionDefective phagocytosisInflammation drivesRetinitis pigmentosaDegenerationHypomorphic expressionMiceEpitheliumPhagocytosisRuxolitinibPigmentosaSeverity