Phys. Rev. -- Table of Contents (July 2005, 85, (3))

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John N. Maina and John B. West: Thin and Strong! The Bioengineering Dilemma in the Structural and Functional Design of the Blood-Gas Barrier
Physiol. Rev. 85: 811-844, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00022.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Olaf Strauss: The Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Visual Function
Physiol. Rev. 85: 845-881, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00021.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

William J. Moody and Martha M. Bosma: Ion Channel Development, Spontaneous Activity, and Activity-Dependent Development in Nerve and Muscle Cells
Physiol. Rev. 85: 883-941, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00017.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Colin D. McCaig, Ann M. Rajnicek, Bing Song, and Min Zhao: Controlling Cell Behavior Electrically: Current Views and Future Potential
Physiol. Rev. 85: 943-978, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00020.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] ]Supplemental Movies[

Rupert Hallmann, Nathalie Horn, Manuel Selg, Olaf Wendler, Friederike Pausch, and Lydia M. Sorokin: Expression and Function of Laminins in the Embryonic and Mature Vasculature
Physiol. Rev. 85: 979-1000, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00014.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Scott L. Hooper and Jeffrey B. Thuma: Invertebrate Muscles: Muscle Specific Genes and Proteins
Physiol. Rev. 85: 1001-1060, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00019.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Matthew E. Loewen and George W. Forsyth: Structure and Function of CLCA Proteins
Physiol. Rev. 85: 1061-1092, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00016.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

William C. Stanley, Fabio A. Recchia, and Gary D. Lopaschuk: Myocardial Substrate Metabolism in the Normal and Failing Heart
Physiol. Rev. 85: 1093-1129, 2005; doi:10.1152/physrev.00006.2004 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Cover

Cover: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of pigmented cells covering the inner wall of the bulbus of the eye. It is located between the light-sensitive outer segments of photoreceptors and the fenestrated endothelium of the choriocapillaris. Specialized interfaces enable the RPE to interact with the neighboring tissues: Bruch's membrane (on its basolateral side, facing the endothelium of the choriocapillaris) and long microvilli together with the interphotoreceptor matrix (on its apical side, facing the outer segments of photoreceptors). For a long time it was believed that the main function of the RPE was its ability to adsorb light. With the knowledge of a complex interaction between the RPE and the photoreceptors, now both tissues can be regarded as a functional unit. This interaction includes (from left to right): 1) absorption of light and protection against photo-oxidative damage; 2) transport of ions from the subretinal space to the blood site and transport of nutrition, such as glucose or retinol, from blood to photoreceptors; 3) spatial buffering of ions in the subretinal space to maintain excitability of photoreceptors; 4) recycling of photo-isomerized all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal; 5) phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments to maintain structural integrity of photoreceptors; and 6) secretion of a variety of growth factors. Alterations or failure of one of these functions can cause retinal degenerations and blindness. Furthermore, mutations in genes expressed in the RPE can lead to photoreceptor degeneration, or mutations in genes expressed in photoreceptors can lead to degeneration of the RPE with subsequent secondary degeneration of photoreceptors. The understanding that photoreceptors and the RPE can be regarded as a functional unit is of great importance to understand retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, to date one of the most common causes of blindness in industrialized countries. See Strauss, Olaf. Physiol Rev 85: 845–881, 2005.