Aging and the cornea

Cells that enter replicative senescence acquire two phenotypes: they leave the cell cycle with a G1 DNA content, 18 and they undergo a characteristic series of changes in biology and gene expression that alters the function of the cell. 13 19 In this latter situation some genes are transcriptionally...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of ophthalmology 1997-10, Vol.81 (10), p.814-817
Main Authors: FARAGHER, R G A, MULHOLLAND, B, TUFT, S J, SANDEMAN, S, KHAW, P T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Aging
Biological and medical sciences
Brief Review
Cell cycle
Cell division
Cellular Senescence - genetics
Cellular Senescence - physiology
Cornea - cytology
Cornea - physiology
Endothelium, Corneal - cytology
Endothelium, Corneal - physiology
Epithelium, Corneal - cytology
Epithelium, Corneal - physiology
Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene expression
Genotype & phenotype
Humans
Hypotheses
Postoperative period
Senescence
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Cells that enter replicative senescence acquire two phenotypes: they leave the cell cycle with a G1 DNA content, 18 and they undergo a characteristic series of changes in biology and gene expression that alters the function of the cell. 13 19 In this latter situation some genes are transcriptionally repressed, some gene expression is upregulated, and some totally senescent specific genes are turned on. 20 These changes cover practically every aspect of cell physiology and occur in a highly selective manner. 2 As many of the changes occur in genes coding for secreted products the senescent cell can potentially affect the surrounding microenvironment. In particular, the degradation of enzymes in the anterior segment that normally metabolise and detoxify hydrogen peroxide and other free radicals may lead to progressive damage to the endothelial layer. 79 Reduction in endothelial cell numbers and the increased variability in cell size and shape that accompany normal aging may adversely affect endothelial function, 80 although this reduced function may also be the result of a decline in high energy metabolism with age. 45 The aged cornea is slower to recover from hypoxic stress, 81 and grafts from older donors usually require a longer postoperative period to attain their final thickness. 82 83 Although advanced donor age does not preclude the use of a cornea for grafting, the life span of a transplanted endothelial cell is, as yet, unknown.
ISSN:0007-1161
1468-2079
DOI:10.1136/bjo.81.10.814