The Bst locus on mouse chromosome 16 is associated with age-related subretinal neovascularization

Ocular neovascularization is the leading cause of blindness in developed co untries and often causes rapid loss of vision in age-related macular degene ration. Acute visual loss is most often due to hemorrhage from new vessels that have extended from the choroid into the subretinal space. Growth of ab normal vessels beneath the retina in this condition is known as subretinal neovascularization (SRN). Age-related animal models of macular degeneration and SRN have not been described. Current animal models of SRN depend on ch emical or physical stimuli to initiate growth of subretinal vessels. The ge nes responsible for age-related human macular degeneration with SRN have no t been firmly identified. We report an angiogenic phenotype in Bst/+ mice t hat is age-related, clinically evident, and resembles human SRN. This repre sents a spontaneous, genetically determined model of SRN, Bst/+ mice offer the possibility of exploring the molecular mechanisms of SRN without the ne ed for exogenous agents.