Cell loss as a trigger: Scientists at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen uncover a critical mechanism of eye ageing

Scientists at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy (MOCA) at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, led by Dr. Jacopo Di Russo, have identified a key mechanism underlying eye ageing. The paper, entitled “Cell loss disrupts mechanical homeostasis to drive retinal pigment epithelium ageing-like phenotype in vitro”, was published in April 2026 in the prestigious journal Nature Communications and demonstrates that even the loss of individual cells can permanently alter the structure, mechanical properties and function of a crucial tissue in the eye.

The research findings focus on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a thin layer of cells at the back of the eye that is essential for the survival of light-sensitive photoreceptors. As we age, RPE cells are lost without the body being able to replace them. The remaining cells must expand and reorganise themselves to fill the resulting gaps.

To investigate this process in detail, the team led by first author Dr. Teodora Piskova and group leader and last author Dr. Jacopo Di Russo developed a state-of-the-art laboratory model based on human stem cells. The researchers simulated age-related cell loss under controlled conditions and analysed the tissue’s response under realistic conditions. They were supported in this work by Prof. Dr. Dr. Wolfgang Wagner from the Institute of Stem Cell Biology at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen.

From cell loss to functional impairment

The results show a clear trend: the remaining cells become larger and flatter, whilst the tissue as a whole becomes stiffer. At the same time, the cells increasingly lose their ability to efficiently break down light-sensitive cell debris – a key prerequisite for healthy vision. The team identified changes in the cellular architecture as the driving mechanism. Although this mechanical restructuring stabilises the tissue, it simultaneously leads to functional limitations.

Implications for age-related diseases

The study provides the first direct evidence that cell loss alone plays a decisive role in the ageing of the RPE, independent of other known factors. This finding offers important insights into the understanding of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of vision loss worldwide. In the long term, the findings open up new avenues for therapies that specifically target the mechanical properties of tissue to prevent pathological changes at an early stage.

The complete paper can be found here.