Retinal vascular dysfunction in the Mthfrmouse model of cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Investigations of retinal biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD and related dementias (ADRD), has increased significantly. We examine retinal vascular health in a mouse containing the ADRD risk variant Mthfrto determine if changes in retina mirror similar changes in cerebrovasculature. METHODS: Morphology and function of retinal vasculature and neurons were assessed using in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry, and pattern electroretinography. RNAscope and proteomics were employed to determine Mthfr gene expression and differential protein expression in mice carrying Mthfr. RESULTS: Mice show age- and sex-dependent retinal vascular deficits, displaying similarities to previously published brain data. Mthfr is widely expressed and co-localizes with vascular cell markers. Proteomics identified common molecular signatures across the brain and retina. DISCUSSION: Results demonstrate that Mthfr-dependent vascular phenotypes occur in brain and retina similarly. These data suggest that assessing age and genetic-driven changes within retinal vasculature represents a minimally invasive method to predict AD-related cerebrovascular damage. HIGHLIGHTS: Mthfrretinal vascular phenotypes align with cerebrovascular phenotypes. Mthfrbrain and retina share Alzheimer's disease (AD)-)relevant differentially expressed proteins. Retinal imaging may provide insight regarding genetic risk for vascular dysfunction.