RPE I Flashcards

1
Q

What is RPE

A

The outermost layer of the Retina that separates it from the choroid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

T/F anywhere that retina is present RPE is also present

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Is there retina at the optic nerve?

A

No, so no RPE either

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What must light pass through to reach the RPE

A

All the layers of the retina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the layers of the retina from inner to outer

A
Inner: inner plexiform layer
Inner nuclear layer
Outer plexiform layer
Outer nuclear layer
Inner segments
Outer segments
Outer: RPE
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Non pigmented ciliary epithelium is continuous with this

A

Retina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The pigmented epithelium is continuous with this

A

RPE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Approximately how many RPE cells do we have?

A

4-6 million

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Do RPE have the ability to regenerate

A

No

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where is the RPE cell density the greatest

A

At the fovea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How photoreceptors face a single RPE cell

A

30-40

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Apex of the RPE faces this

A

Apex of the photoreceptors outer segment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the major functions of the RPE cells

A
Secretion (VEGF and PEDF)
Phagocytosis (of metabolic wastes)
Visual cycle
Glia
Epithelial transport (H2O, Cl, vitamin A, glucose)
Light absorption
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What photoreceptor discs are shed in the morning

A

Rod discs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What photoreceptor discs are shed in the evening

A

Cone discs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When are our rods used

A

At night in dark environments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When do we use our cones

A

In the daytime bright conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are present in th outer zone of the RPE

A

Mitochondria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are present in the middle zone of RPE

A

Nucleus of RPE, Golgi and ER

20
Q

What are present in the inner zone of the RPE

A

Melanocytes

21
Q

Know what a drusen is

A

See slides 21-23

22
Q

What happens in macular degeneration

A

You have a buildup of hydrophobic materials in Bruchs that causes the RPE to malfunction and become sick and nutrients cant come in and wastes cant get out. This can cause cracks to corm in Bruch’s membrane, where blood vessels will creep in

23
Q

What happens in geographical atrophy

A

RPE drop out and you can see choroid

24
Q

What is the difference between wet and dry MD

A

Wet: there are blood vessels that creep into the macula

Dry: just drusen

25
Q

How do you treat Wet AMD

A

Injectable anti-VEGF drugs

26
Q

What are the 3 anti-VEGF drugs used to treat MD

A

Avastin
Eylea
Lucentis

27
Q

How do anti-VEGF treatments work

A

They seek out harmful VEGF molecules and block them.

This reduces abnormal growth and leakage, which helps stabilize vision loss and improve sight

28
Q

What is the cost difference between the anti-VEGF injections

A

Avastin is the cheapest

Eylea and lucentis are very expensive

29
Q

What are some visual distortions that occur with AMD

A

Metamorphopsia

Scotoma

30
Q

How are RPE’s arranged

A

Apex to apex due to embryological development

31
Q

What fills the subretinal space and what is its job

A

Interphotoreceptor matrix

It controls trafficking of nutrients

32
Q

What makes up the basement of the RPE

A

The innermost layer of Bruch’s membrane

33
Q

What are some apical membrane specializations in the RPE

A

Na/K ATPase pumps: regulate influxes to keep the sensory retina adhered to the RPE

34
Q

What are some lateral membrane specializations of the RPE

A
  • Tight junctions: blood retina barrier
  • zonula occludens
  • zonula adherens
  • macular adherens
  • Gap junctions
  • Focal adhesion
  • Bruch’s membrane
35
Q

What are some basal membrane specializations that are in the RPE

A

Basal enfoldings (increase SA for cell absorption and secretion)

36
Q

What creates the Blood retina barrier

A

Tight junctions between the RPE cells and between the non-fenestrated endothelial cells of the retinal capillaries

37
Q

What is the function of apical microvilli

A

Aids in adhesion, phagocytosis, increase SA of exchange

38
Q

What is the function of lysozymes in RPE

A

Contain hydrologic enzymes that digest photoreceptors

39
Q

What is the function of junctions complex and terminal bar in RPE

A

Part of B-R-B and ensures cell-cell adhesion

40
Q

What is the function of phagosomes in RPE

A

Contain phagocytosed photoreceptor segments

41
Q

What is the function of melanin granules

A

Absorb excess visible light and UV

Reduces free radical damage

42
Q

What is the function of lipofuscin in RPE

A

Aging pigment

43
Q

What is the function of the Golgi in RPE

A

Secretion and sulphation of GAGs

44
Q

What is the function of rough and smooth ER in the RPE

A

Protein and lipid synthesis

45
Q

What is the function of mitochondria in RPE

A

Large numbers indicate active pumping epithelium

46
Q

Look at slides for conditions

A

Slide 44-49