Mitochondrial DNA Damage in the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE) and Its Role in RPE Pathobiology

Retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells have critical functions in the retina. These cells rely heavily on their mitochondria to generate energy, offer metabolites for biosynthesis through the TCA cycle, regulate apoptosis, and process lipids from photoreceptors. Therefore, mitochondrial damage has significant consequences for the RPE and, by proxy, photoreceptors. Researchers have identified damaged mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulation in patient samples from aged and diseased individuals. These damages include point mutations and complete deletions of mtDNA segments. The most significant observation in these studies is a positive correlation between the accumulation of damaged mtDNA with the stage of AMD rather than aging. This chapter will discuss how mitochondrial dysfunction in the RPE can drive disease pathobiology by altering their physiological functions.