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Carozza G, Zerti D, Tisi A, Ciancaglini M, Maccarrone M, Maccarone R. An overview of retinal light damage models for preclinical studies on age-related macular degeneration: identifying molecular hallmarks and therapeutic targets. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:303-330. [PMID: 38153807 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, multifactorial disease leading to progressive and irreversible retinal degeneration, whose pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated yet. Due to the complexity and to the multiple features of the disease, many efforts have been made to develop animal models which faithfully reproduce the overall AMD hallmarks or that are able to mimic the different AMD stages. In this context, light damage (LD) rodent models of AMD represent a suitable and reliable approach to mimic the different AMD forms (dry, wet and geographic atrophy) while maintaining the time-dependent progression of the disease. In this review, we comprehensively reported how the LD paradigms reproduce the main features of human AMD. We discuss the capability of these models to broaden the knowledge in AMD research, with a focus on the mechanisms and the molecular hallmarks underlying the pathogenesis of the disease. We also critically revise the remaining challenges and future directions for the use of LD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Carozza
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Darin Zerti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Annamaria Tisi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Ciancaglini
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Maccarone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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Broadhead GK, Grigg J, McCluskey PJ, Hong T, Schlub TE, Chu E, Chang AA. Saffron therapy for the ongoing treatment of age-related macular degeneration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2024; 9:e001399. [PMID: 38485112 PMCID: PMC10941132 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2023-001399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of oral saffron, a natural antioxidant, in treating mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS AND ANALYSIS Open-label, extension trial of 93 adults (>50 years) with mild/moderate AMD and vision >20/70 Snellen equivalent in at least 1 eye. Exclusion criteria included confounding visual lesions or significant gastrointestinal disease impairing absorption.Participants were given oral saffron supplementation (20 mg/day) for 12 months. Those already consuming Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) supplements or equivalent maintained these.Primary outcomes included changes in multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) response density and latency, and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary outcomes included safety outcomes, changes in mfERG and BCVA among participants on AREDS supplements and changes in microperimetry. RESULTS At 12 months, mean mfERG response density was significantly higher in rings 1, 2 and overall (p<0.001 for all) but not in rings 3-6, and there was no difference in response between those taking AREDS supplements and those not (p>0.05). Mean mfERG latency was not significantly different in any of rings 1-6 or overall (p>0.05 for all), again with no difference between those taking AREDS supplements or not (p>0.05). Mean BCVA was 1.6 letters worse (p<0.05) with no difference between those on AREDS supplements or not, and this may have been related to cataract progression. No saffron-related serious adverse events were detected. CONCLUSION Saffron supplementation modestly improved mfERG responses in participants with AMD, including those using AREDS supplements. Given the chronic nature of AMD, longer-term supplementation may produce greater benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey K Broadhead
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Retina Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cureos, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Grigg
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter J McCluskey
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Hong
- Sydney Retina Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cureos, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Timothy E Schlub
- The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eugenia Chu
- Sydney Retina Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cureos, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew A Chang
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Retina Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cureos, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Smirnova TV, Budzinskaya MV, Sheludchenko VM. [Multifocal electroretinography in the diagnosis and monitoring of early and intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration]. Vestn Oftalmol 2024; 140:172-179. [PMID: 38739148 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2024140022172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Multifocal electroretinography is a valuable diagnostic method for the objective localization and quantitative assessment of functional disorders of the central retina in age-related macular degeneration. It is used to detect early changes, monitor the course of the disease and treatment outcomes. In many cases, multifocal electroretinography is a more sensitive method for detecting functional disorders at the early/intermediate stage of age-related macular degeneration compared to morphological (optical coherence tomography) and subjective (visual acuity, perimetry) testing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V Smirnova
- Krasnov Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
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Tolentino MJ, Tolentino AJ, Tolentino EM, Krishnan A, Genead MA. Sialic Acid Mimetic Microglial Sialic Acid-Binding Immunoglobulin-like Lectin Agonism: Potential to Restore Retinal Homeostasis and Regain Visual Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1735. [PMID: 38139861 PMCID: PMC10747662 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of visual loss and dysfunction worldwide, is a disease initiated by genetic polymorphisms that impair the negative regulation of complement. Proteomic investigation points to altered glycosylation and loss of Siglec-mediated glyco-immune checkpoint parainflammatory and inflammatory homeostasis as the main determinant for the vision impairing complications of macular degeneration. The effect of altered glycosylation on microglial maintained retinal para-inflammatory homeostasis and eventual recruitment and polarization of peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (PBMDMs) into the retina can explain the phenotypic variability seen in this clinically heterogenous disease. Restoring glyco-immune checkpoint control with a sialic acid mimetic agonist targeting microglial/macrophage Siglecs to regain retinal para-inflammatory and inflammatory homeostasis is a promising therapeutic that could halt the progression of and improve visual function in all stages of macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Tolentino
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, Orlando, FL 34787, USA
- Aviceda Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; (A.K.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Andrew J. Tolentino
- Department of Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | | | - Anitha Krishnan
- Aviceda Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; (A.K.); (M.A.G.)
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Wang X, Wang P. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography combined with electroretinography in the assessment of conbercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1179421. [PMID: 37179553 PMCID: PMC10166866 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1179421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To observe the effect of three consecutive intravitreal injections of conbercept in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), to investigate the correlation between retinal anatomy and retinal function by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and electroretinography (ERG), to evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of conbercept in the treatment of nAMD, and to explore the value of ERG as a predictor of treatment efficacy. Method A retrospective investigation was conducted on 36 patients (36 eyes) treated with intravitreal injections of conbercept at 0.5 mg a month for three consecutive courses. Data collected included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation volume in 1 mm-diameter (1RV), 3 mm-diameter (3RV), and 6 mm-diameter circles around the fovea (6RV), amplitude density and latency of the P1 wave in the multifocal electroretinography (mf-ERG) R1 ring and amplitude and latency in full-field electroretinography (ff-ERG) at baseline and monthly. The paired t test was used to compare the difference between pre- and posttreatment. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between macular retinal structure and function. The difference was significant when p < 0.05. Results At 12 weeks, the BCVA, CRT, 1RV, 3RV, 6RV, the P1 wave amplitude density of the mf-ERG R1 ring and the ff-ERG amplitude parameters were all significantly improved (p < 0.001). The BCVA in logMAR was positively correlated with CRT; 1RV, 3RV, and 6RV were negatively correlated with the amplitude density and latency of the mf-ERG R1 ring P1 wave. There were no severe ocular or systemic complications during the follow-up period. Conclusion Conbercept is useful for the short-term treatment of nAMD. It can safely improve the visual acuity of affected eyes and restore the structure and function of the retina. ERG could serve as an objective indicator of function for evaluating the efficacy of and determining the need for retreatment during nAMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peng Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Blood-Retinal Barrier Physiology in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010064. [PMID: 33406612 PMCID: PMC7823525 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood retinal barrier (BRB) is a fundamental eye component, whose function is to select the flow of molecules from the blood to the retina and vice-versa, and its integrity allows the maintenance of a finely regulated microenvironment. The outer BRB, composed by the choriocapillaris, the Bruch's membrane, and the retinal pigment epithelium, undergoes structural and functional changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. BRB alterations lead to retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Several risk factors have been associated with AMD onset in the past decades and oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key factor, even if the exact AMD pathophysiology has not been exactly elucidated yet. The present review describes the BRB physiology, the BRB changes occurring in AMD, the role of oxidative stress in AMD with a focus on the outer BRB structures. Moreover, we propose the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new powerful anti-oxidant agent to combat AMD, based on the relevant existing data which demonstrated their beneficial effects in protecting the outer BRB in animal models of AMD.
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Parisi V, Ziccardi L, Costanzo E, Tedeschi M, Barbano L, Manca D, Di Renzo A, Giorno P, Varano M, Parravano M. Macular Functional and Morphological Changes in Intermediate Age-Related Maculopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:11. [PMID: 32396630 PMCID: PMC7405611 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.5.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate macular preganglionic function and to verify its relationship with retinal and choroidal morphology in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) patients. Methods All included patients performed multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) for investigating on macular function from the central 15° of foveal eccentricity, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for studying retinal structure, enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT) for the measure of choroidal vascularity index (CVI), and OCT-angiography (OCTA) for the evaluation of vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris (CC) layer. Results Twenty-seven patients with iAMD and 20 age-matched control eyes were analyzed. Significantly (P < 0.01) delayed and reduced mfERG responses in the central 0 to 2.5°, paracentral 2.5 to 5°, and overall 0 to 5° areas, as well as increased CVI values in both foveal (1 mm centered to the fovea) and fovea + parafovea areas (3 mm centered to the fovea), increased foveal and parafoveal (annular area of 1-3 mm centered to the fovea) retinal pigment epithelium thickness, and volume and parafoveal outer retinal volume were found in iAMD eyes as compared to controls. Moreover, iAMD eyes showed significantly (P < 0.01) reduced foveal and parafoveal OCTA-VD values in the CC layer when compared to controls. In the iAMD group, not significant (P > 0.01) correlations were found between morphological and functional parameters. Conclusions Our findings support a dysfunction of photoreceptors and bipolar cells in both foveal and parafoveal areas in the presence of outer retina, CC, and choroidal structural changes, however, not significantly correlated. The observed enlargement of luminal choroidal area (measured by CVI) is possibly compensatory to CC vascular insufficiency.
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de Santiago L, Ortiz del Castillo M, Garcia-Martin E, Rodrigo MJ, Sánchez Morla EM, Cavaliere C, Cordón B, Miguel JM, López A, Boquete L. Empirical Mode Decomposition-Based Filter Applied to Multifocal Electroretinograms in Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 20:E7. [PMID: 31861282 PMCID: PMC6983250 DOI: 10.3390/s20010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As multiple sclerosis (MS) usually affects the visual pathway, visual electrophysiological tests can be used to diagnose it. The objective of this paper is to research methods for processing multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) recordings to improve the capacity to diagnose MS. MfERG recordings from 15 early-stage MS patients without a history of optic neuritis and from 6 control subjects were examined. A normative database was built from the control subject signals. The mfERG recordings were filtered using empirical mode decomposition (EMD). The correlation with the signals in a normative database was used as the classification feature. Using EMD-based filtering and performance correlation, the mean area under the curve (AUC) value was 0.90. The greatest discriminant capacity was obtained in ring 4 and in the inferior nasal quadrant (AUC values of 0.96 and 0.94, respectively). Our results suggest that the combination of filtering mfERG recordings using EMD and calculating the correlation with a normative database would make mfERG waveform analysis applicable to assessment of multiple sclerosis in early-stage patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis de Santiago
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Electronics, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (L.d.S.); (C.C.); (J.M.M.); (A.L.)
| | | | - Elena Garcia-Martin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (E.G.-M.); (B.C.)
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- RETICS-Oftared: Thematic Networks for Co-operative Research in Health for Ocular Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Rodrigo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (E.G.-M.); (B.C.)
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- RETICS-Oftared: Thematic Networks for Co-operative Research in Health for Ocular Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M. Sánchez Morla
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM: Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Electronics, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (L.d.S.); (C.C.); (J.M.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Beatriz Cordón
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (E.G.-M.); (B.C.)
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Miguel
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Electronics, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (L.d.S.); (C.C.); (J.M.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Almudena López
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Electronics, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (L.d.S.); (C.C.); (J.M.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Luciano Boquete
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Electronics, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (L.d.S.); (C.C.); (J.M.M.); (A.L.)
- RETICS-Oftared: Thematic Networks for Co-operative Research in Health for Ocular Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Del Castillo MO, Cordón B, Sánchez Morla EM, Vilades E, Rodrigo MJ, Cavaliere C, Boquete L, Garcia-Martin E. Identification of clusters in multifocal electrophysiology recordings to maximize discriminant capacity (patients vs. control subjects). Doc Ophthalmol 2019; 140:43-53. [PMID: 31538293 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-019-09720-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To propose a new method of identifying clusters in multifocal electrophysiology (multifocal electroretinogram: mfERG; multifocal visual-evoked potential: mfVEP) that conserve the maximum capacity to discriminate between patients and control subjects. METHODS The theoretical framework proposed creates arbitrary N-size clusters of sectors. The capacity to discriminate between patients and control subjects is assessed by analysing the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). As proof of concept, the method is validated using mfERG recordings taken from both eyes of control subjects (n = 6) and from patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 15). RESULTS Considering the amplitude of wave P1 as the analysis parameter, the maximum value of AUC = 0.7042 is obtained with N = 9 sectors. Taking into account the AUC of the amplitudes and latencies of waves N1 and P1, the maximum value of the AUC = 0.6917 with N = 8 clustered sectors. The greatest discriminant capacity is obtained by analysing the latency of wave P1: AUC = 0.8854 with a cluster of N = 12 sectors. CONCLUSION This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a method able to determine the arbitrary clustering of multifocal responses that possesses the greatest capacity to discriminate between control subjects and patients when applied to the visual field of mfERG or mfVEP recordings. The method may prove helpful in diagnosing any disease that is identifiable in patients' mfERG or mfVEP recordings and is extensible to other clinical tests, such as optical coherence tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ortiz Del Castillo
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Electronics Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - B Cordón
- Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - E M Sánchez Morla
- 12 de Octubre University Hospital Research Institute (i + 12), Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Vilades
- Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M J Rodrigo
- Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - C Cavaliere
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Electronics Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - L Boquete
- Biomedical Engineering Group, Electronics Department, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,RETICS: Thematic Networks for Co-operative Research in Health for Ocular Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Garcia-Martin
- Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Innovation and Research Group (GIMSO), University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.,RETICS: Thematic Networks for Co-operative Research in Health for Ocular Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
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Dieguez HH, Romeo HE, González Fleitas MF, Aranda ML, Milne GA, Rosenstein RE, Dorfman D. Superior cervical gangliectomy induces non-exudative age-related macular degeneration in mice. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.031641. [PMID: 29361515 PMCID: PMC5894943 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, a prevalent cause of blindness, is a progressive and degenerative disease characterized by alterations in Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium, and photoreceptors exclusively localized in the macula. Although experimental murine models exist, the vast majority take a long time to develop retinal alterations and, in general, these alterations are ubiquitous, with many resulting from non-eye-specific genetic manipulations; additionally, most do not always reproduce the hallmarks of human age-related macular degeneration. Choroid vessels receive sympathetic innervation from the superior cervical ganglion, which, together with the parasympathetic system, regulates blood flow into the choroid. Choroid blood flow changes have been involved in age-related macular degeneration development and progression. At present, no experimental models take this factor into account. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of superior cervical gangliectomy (also known as ganglionectomy) on the choroid, Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium and retina. Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent unilateral superior cervical gangliectomy and a contralateral sham procedure. Although superior cervical gangliectomy induced ubiquitous choroid and choriocapillaris changes, it induced Bruch's membrane thickening, loss of retinal pigment epithelium melanin content and retinoid isomerohydrolase, the appearance of drusen-like deposits, and retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor atrophy, exclusively localized in the temporal side. Moreover, superior cervical gangliectomy provoked a localized increase in retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor apoptosis, and a decline in photoreceptor electroretinographic function. Therefore, superior cervical gangliectomy recapitulated the main features of human non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, and could become a new experimental model of dry age-related macular degeneration, and a useful platform for developing new therapies. Summary: Ubiquitous alteration of choroid circulation causes localized retinal alterations in mice that are similar to human non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, thus providing a new potential experimental model of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán H Dieguez
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Horacio E Romeo
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, BIOMED/UCA/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1107AFB, Argentina
| | - María F González Fleitas
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Marcos L Aranda
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Georgia A Milne
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Ruth E Rosenstein
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Damián Dorfman
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
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