Photoreceptor degeneration in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with an infiltration and chronic accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs). We have previously shown that Cx3cr1-deficient mice develop age-and stress-related subretinal accumulation of MPs, which is associated with photoreceptor degeneration. Cx3cr1-deficient MPs have been shown to increase neuronal apoptosis through IL-1␤ in neuroinflammation of the brain. The reason for increased IL-1␤ secretion from Cx3cr1-deficient MPs, and whether IL-1␤ is responsible for increased photoreceptor apoptosis in Cx3cr1-deficient mice, has not been elucidated. Here we show that Cx3cr1-deficient MPs express increased surface P2X7 receptor (P2RX7), which stimulates IL-1␤ maturation and secretion. P2RX7 and IL-1␤ inhibition efficiently blunted Cx3cr1-MP-dependent photoreceptor apoptosis in a monocyte/retina coculture system and in lightinduced subretinal inflammation of Cx3cr1-deficient mice in vivo. Our results provide an explanation for increased CX3CR1-dependent IL-1␤ secretion and suggest that IL-1␤ or P2RX7 inhibition can help inhibit the inflammation-associated photoreceptor cell loss in late AMD, including geographic atrophy, for which no efficient treatment currently exists.

P. putida exhibited a high decolorizing capacity of the studied effluent, compared to the coagulation-flocculation method with decolorization percentage of 86% and 34.5%, respectively. Genotoxicity of the studied effluent, before and after decolorization by P. putida mt-2, was evaluated in vitro, using the SOS chromotest, and in vivo, in mouse bone marrow, by assessing the percentage of cells bearing different chromosome aberrations compared to not treated mice. In addition, textile effluent statistically significant influenced acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01) when compared to not-treated mice. Coagulation-flocculation treatment process used by industry was revealed to be ineffective. Indeed toxicities persisted after treatment and the effluent did not show any statistically significant decrease in toxicities compared to non-treated effluent. Our results indicate that P. putida is a promising and improved alternative to treating industrial scale effluent compared to current chemical decolorization procedures used by the Tunisian textile industry.