CX3CR1-dependent subretinal microglia cell accumulation is associated with cardinal features of age-related macular degeneration
J. Clin. Invest. Christophe Combadière, et al. 117:2920 doi:10.1172/JCI31692 [Go to this article.]

Figure 1
CX3CR1 expression in AMD. (A) CX3CR1 (fast red labeling) was expressed in the inner retina (arrows); no CX3CR1-positive cells were found in the outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor OSs, or RPE. Inset: Confocal images of the nerve fiber layer of double-labeled retinal flatmounts showed the ramified morphology of cells expressing CX3CR1 (green) and their close proximity to the retinal vasculature (Ulex red) in a healthy eye. (B) In affected zones of the macula of age-matched subjects with AMD, additional CX3CR1-positive cells (arrows) were found in and below the outer nuclear layer that contains the photoreceptors. Inset: These cells were large and bloated (green, CX3CR1; blue, DAPI). (C–E) CX3CR1-expressing cells (C) were ramified cells that also labeled positive for the MC marker CD18 (red, D); merged image is shown in E. (F) Drusen contained acellular CX3CR1 deposits (arrows). (G) CX3CR1-positive cells were in close physical contact with CNV (arrows). Results are representative for immunohistochemistry from 4 eyes with AMD and 3 age-matched control eyes. INL, inner nuclear layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer. Scale bar: 50 μm (A–G and A, inset); 20 μm (B, inset).