Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39833899›Full record

ArticleMolecular neurodegeneration2025

Genetic context modulates aging and degeneration in the murine retina.

Olivia J Marola, Michael MacLean, Travis L Cossette, Cory A Diemler, Amanda A Hewes, Alaina M Reagan, Jonathan Nyandu Kanyinda, Daniel A Skelly, Gareth R Howell

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular neurodegeneration, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Neuroinflammation in glaucoma: a myriad of cellular pathways and players.Mammalian genome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society · 2026
    Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. WSB.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025
    Article
  12. Review
  13. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Olivia J Marola *The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-0078-6088
Michael MacLean *The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9685-3400
Travis L CossetteThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
Cory A DiemlerThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
Amanda A HewesThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
Alaina M ReaganThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9666-0879
Jonathan Nyandu KanyindaThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
Daniel A SkellyThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
Gareth R HowellThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA. gareth.howell@jax.org.ORCID 0000-0003-0565-6474

Funding

Cell specific roles of the endothelin system in glaucoma-relevant retinal ganglion cell deathR01EY027701 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · PI HOWELL, GARETH R, LIBBY, RICHARD T · 2017 to 2021
$2.7M
Dissecting the complex role of microglia states in glaucomaR01EY035093 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · PI Gareth R Howell, Richard T Libby · 2023 to 2026
$2.6M
Alzheimer's Association AARF-22-971325Diana Davis Spencer Foundation 2021-2025Jackson Laboratory JAX Scholars ProgramNEI NIH HHS EY027701NEI NIH HHS EY035093NEI NIH HHS R01 EY027701NEI NIH HHS R01 EY035093NIA NIH HHS T32G062409A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAge is the principal risk factor for neurodegeneration in both the retina and brain. The retina and brain share many biological properties; thus, insights into retinal aging and degeneration may shed light onto similar processes in the brain. Genetic makeup strongly influences susceptibility to age-related retinal disease. However, studies investigating retinal aging have not sufficiently accounted for genetic diversity. Therefore, examining molecular aging in the retina across different genetic backgrounds will enhance our understanding of human-relevant aging and degeneration in both the retina and brain-potentially improving therapeutic approaches to these debilitating conditions.

methodsTranscriptomics and proteomics were employed to elucidate retinal aging signatures in nine genetically diverse mouse strains (C57BL/6J, 129S1/SvlmJ, NZO/HlLtJ, WSB/EiJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhK, NOD/ShiLtJ, A/J, and BALB/cJ) across lifespan. These data predicted human disease-relevant changes in WSB and NZO strains. Accordingly, B6, WSB, and NZO mice were subjected to human-relevant in vivo examinations at 4, 8, 12, and/or 18M, including: slit lamp, fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and pattern/full-field electroretinography. Retinal morphology, vascular structure, and cell counts were assessed ex vivo.

resultsWe identified common molecular aging signatures across the nine mouse strains, which included genes associated with photoreceptor function and immune activation. Genetic background strongly modulated these aging signatures. Analysis of cell type-specific marker genes predicted age-related loss of photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in WSB and NZO, respectively. Fundus exams revealed retinitis pigmentosa-relevant pigmentary abnormalities in WSB retinas and diabetic retinopathy (DR)-relevant cotton wool spots and exudates in NZO retinas. Profound photoreceptor dysfunction and loss were confirmed in WSB. Molecular analyses indicated changes in photoreceptor-specific proteins prior to loss, suggesting photoreceptor-intrinsic dysfunction in WSB. In addition, age-associated RGC dysfunction, loss, and concomitant microvascular dysfunction were observed in NZO mice. Proteomic analyses revealed an early reduction in protective antioxidant processes, which may underlie increased susceptibility to DR-relevant pathology in NZO.

conclusionsGenetic context is a strong determinant of retinal aging, and our multi-omics resource can aid in understanding age-related diseases of the eye and brain. Our investigations identified and validated WSB and NZO mice as improved preclinical models relevant to common retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

Indexed as

AgingRetinaRetinal DegenerationAnimalsHumansMiceMice, Inbred C57BLProteomicsTranscriptomeAgingDiabetic retinopathyGenetic diversityNZOProteomicsRetinaRetinal vascular diseaseRetinitis pigmentosaRNA-sequencingWSB

Identifiers

PMID39833899
PMCPMC11744848

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.