Lipofuscin: resolution of discrepant fluorescence data

Science. 1982 May 14;216(4547):757-9. doi: 10.1126/science.7079738.

Abstract

Lipofuscin granules (age pigments) emit yellow light under ultraviolet excitation in the fluorescence microscope. The reported blue emission maximum of extracts of lipofuscin-laden cells may result from instrumental bias. The major fluorescent components that accumulate with age in these lysosomal residual bodies of human retinal pigment epithelium are yellow-emitting fluorophores. Different age-related fluorophores, which do emit blue light, are derived from other intracellular sources. A reevaluation of the connection between blue-emitting lipid peroxidation products and the age-related lipofuscin granules of classical pathology is necessary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cytoplasmic Granules
  • Humans
  • Lipofuscin*
  • Lysosomes / analysis
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / analysis
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / ultrastructure
  • Pigments, Biological*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrum Analysis

Substances

  • Lipofuscin
  • Pigments, Biological