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Yang T, Wang W, Xie L, Chen S, Ye X, Shen S, Chen H, Qi L, Cui Z, Xiong W, Guo Y, Chen J. Investigating retinal explant models cultured in static and perfused systems to test the performance of exosomes secreted from retinal organoids. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 408:110181. [PMID: 38823594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110181] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ex vivo cultures of retinal explants are appropriate models for translational research. However, one of the difficult problems of retinal explants ex vivo culture is that their nutrient supply needs cannot be constantly met. NEW METHOD This study evaluated the effect of perfused culture on the survival of retinal explants, addressing the challenge of insufficient nutrition in static culture. Furthermore, exosomes secreted from retinal organoids (RO-Exos) were stained with PKH26 to track their uptake in retinal explants to mimic the efficacy of exosomal drugs in vivo. RESULTS We found that the retinal explants cultured with perfusion exhibited significantly higher viability, increased NeuN+ cells, and reduced apoptosis compared to the static culture group at Days Ex Vivo (DEV) 4, 7, and 14. The perfusion-cultured retinal explants exhibited reduced mRNA markers for gliosis and microglial activation, along with lower expression of GFAP and Iba1, as revealed by immunostaining. Additionally, RNA-sequencing analysis showed that perfusion culture mainly upregulated genes associated with visual perception and photoreceptor cell maintenance while downregulating the immune system process and immune response. RO-Exos promoted the uptake of PKH26-labelled exosomes and the growth of retinal explants in perfusion culture. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Our perfusion culture system can provide a continuous supply of culture medium to achieve steady-state equilibrium in retinal explant culture. Compared to traditional static culture, it better preserves the vitality, provides better neuroprotection, and reduces glial activation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a promising ex vivo model for further studies on degenerative retinal diseases and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linyao Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihui Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuhong Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Zekai Cui
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Schütz S, Bajka A, Muth DR, Wiest MRJ, Meneau I, Blaser F, Toro MD, Rejdak M, Barthelmes D, Zweifel S. Imaging Assessment of Peripapillary Vessel Diameters in Postmortem Eyes. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:562-570. [PMID: 38653313 DOI: 10.1055/a-2264-5559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Proof of concept of ex vivo retinal vessel diameter measurements in human postmortem eyes. METHODS En face near-infrared (IR) images and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the optic nerve head (ONH) were captured ex vivo with a Heidelberg Engineering Spectralis (Spectralis, version 7.0.4, Image Capture Module, version 1.2.4, Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany) device, using a custom-made eye chamber holding and positioning the eyes during the image process. Thirty-two formaldehyde-fixated eyes of 16 patients were imaged. In the IR images, two independent graders measured retinal vessel diameters at the intersection of a drawn circle centered on the ONH with diameters of 2.0 mm and 3.4 mm, respectively. The anatomically corresponding measurements between both graders were statistically analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS A total of 246 matched measurements of both graders were analyzed across all 32 imaged eyes. Statistically significant differences between the graders were found for arterioles at 2 mm from the ONH. The other measurements did not show statistically significant intergrader differences. The mean values for arteriole diameters were 72.2 µm at 2.0 mm and 61.5 µm at 3.4 mm for grader 1, and 66.4 µm at 2.0 mm and 63.2 µm at 3.4 mm for grader 2. The mean diameter for venules were 75.5 µm at 2.0 mm and 79.3 µm at 3.4 mm for grader 1, and 67.4 µm at 2 mm and 79.1 µm at 3.4 mm for grader 2. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to present IR image-based retinal vessel diameters in ex vivo postmortem eyes. Retinal IR/OCT imaging is possible, and measurements are reproducible in formaldehyde-fixated human eyes. Fixation artefacts result in lower image quality, and this can impose challenges in correctly detecting, classifying, and measuring retinal vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Schütz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anahita Bajka
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Rudolf Muth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Isabelle Meneau
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Blaser
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Eye Clinic, Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- Chair and Department of General and Paediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rejdak
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Barthelmes
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandrine Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
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Fietz A, Corsi F, Hurst J, Schnichels S. Blue Light Damage and p53: Unravelling the Role of p53 in Oxidative-Stress-Induced Retinal Apoptosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2072. [PMID: 38136192 PMCID: PMC10740515 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the digital age, the widespread presence of electronic devices has exposed humans to an exceptional amount of blue light (BL) emitted from screens, LEDs, and other sources. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to BL could have harmful effects on the visual system and circadian rhythm regulation. BL is known to induce oxidative stress, leading to DNA damage. Emerging research indicates that BL may also induce cell death pathways that involve the tumor-suppressor protein p53. Activated p53 acts as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of genes involved in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis. This study aimed to explore the implication of p53 in BL-caused retinal damage, shedding light on the potential mechanisms of oxidative-stress-induced retinal diseases. BL-exposed porcine retinal cultures demonstrated increased p53- and caspase-mediated apoptosis, depending on exposure duration. Direct inhibition of p53 via pifithrin α resulted in the prevention of retinal cell death. These findings raise concerns about the long-term consequences of the current daily BL exposure and its potential involvement in various pathological conditions, including oxidative-stress-based retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration. In addition, this study paves the way for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for oxidative-stress-based retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Fietz
- Center for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.F.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesca Corsi
- Center for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.F.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - José Hurst
- Center for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.F.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
| | - Sven Schnichels
- Center for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.F.); (F.C.); (S.S.)
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Wolf HN, Ehinger V, Guempelein L, Banerjee P, Kuempfel T, Havla J, Pauly D. NMOSD IgG Impact Retinal Cells in Murine Retinal Explants. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7319-7335. [PMID: 37754247 PMCID: PMC10529972 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45090463] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, characterized by autoantibodies against aquaporin-4. The symptoms primarily involve severe optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Although the disease progression is typically relapse-dependent, recent studies revealed retinal neuroaxonal degeneration unrelated to relapse activity, potentially due to anti-aquaporin-4-positive antibodies interacting with retinal glial cells such as Müller cells. In this exploratory study, we analysed the response of mouse retinal explants to NMOSD immunoglobulins (IgG). Mouse retinal explants were treated with purified IgG from patient or control sera for one and three days. We characterized tissue response patterns through morphological changes, chemokine secretion, and complement expression. Mouse retinal explants exhibited a basic proinflammatory response ex vivo, modified by IgG addition. NMOSD IgG, unlike control IgG, increased gliosis and decreased chemokine release (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL-10). Complement component expression by retinal cells remained unaltered by either IgG fraction. We conclude that human NMOSD IgG can possibly bind in the mouse retina, altering the local cellular environment. This intraretinal stress may contribute to retinal degeneration independent of relapse activity in NMOSD, suggesting a primary retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Nora Wolf
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Veronika Ehinger
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Guempelein
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Pratiti Banerjee
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Tania Kuempfel
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Center and University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Havla
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Center and University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Diana Pauly
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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Kropp M, Mohit M, Leroy-Ciocanea CI, Schwerm L, Harmening N, Bascuas T, De Clerck E, Kreis AJ, Pajic B, Johnen S, Thumann G. Mammalian Animal and Human Retinal Organ Culture as Pre-Clinical Model to Evaluate Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Intraocular Therapeutics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1211. [PMID: 37371942 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061211] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the pathogenesis of retinal neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) and an important target of therapeutic treatments. New therapeutics are tested in vivo despite limits in terms of transferability and ethical concerns. Retina cultures using human tissue can deliver critical information and significantly reduce the number of animal experiments along with increased transferability. We cultured up to 32 retina samples derived from one eye, analyzed the model's quality, induced OS, and tested the efficiency of antioxidative therapeutics. Bovine, porcine, rat, and human retinae were cultured in different experimental settings for 3-14 d. OS was induced by a high amount of glucose or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and treated with scutellarin, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and/or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The tissue morphology, cell viability, inflammation, and glutathione level were determined. The retina samples showed only moderate necrosis (23.83 ± 5.05 increased to 27.00 ± 1.66 AU PI-staining over 14 d) after 14 days in culture. OS was successfully induced (reduced ATP content of 288.3 ± 59.9 vs. 435.7 ± 166.8 nM ATP in the controls) and the antioxidants reduced OS-induced apoptosis (from 124.20 ± 51.09 to 60.80 ± 319.66 cells/image after the scutellarin treatment). Enhanced mammalian animal and human retina cultures enable reliable, highly transferable research on OS-triggered age-related diseases and pre-clinical testing during drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Kropp
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mohit Mohit
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Laura Schwerm
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nina Harmening
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thais Bascuas
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eline De Clerck
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andreas J Kreis
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bojan Pajic
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Eye Clinic ORASIS, Swiss Eye Research Foundation, 5734 Reinach, Switzerland
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sandra Johnen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Thumann
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Geneva,1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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Schnichels S, Schultheiss M, Klemm P, Blak M, Herrmann T, Melchinger M, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Löscher M, Zeck G, Spitzer MS, Hurst J. Cyclosporine A Protects Retinal Explants against Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910196. [PMID: 34638537 PMCID: PMC8508578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a complex neurological tissue and is extremely sensitive to an insufficient supply of oxygen. Hypoxia plays a major role in several retinal diseases, and often results in the loss of cells that are essential for vision. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a widely used immunosuppressive drug. Furthermore, treatment with CsA has neuroprotective effects in several neurologic disorders. No data are currently available on the tolerated concentration of CsA when applied to the retina. To reveal the most effective dose, retinal explants from rat eyes were exposed to different CsA concentrations (1-9 µg/mL). Immunohistochemistry with brain-specific homeobox/POU domain protein 3a (Brn3a) and TUNEL staining was performed to determine the percentage of total and apoptotic retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), as well as the responses of micro- and macroglial cells. Furthermore, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were performed to measure the changes in retinal thickness, and recordings with multielectrode array (MEA) were performed to evaluate spontaneous RGC spiking. To examine the neuroprotective effects, retinas were subjected to a hypoxic insult by placing them in a nitrogen-streamed hypoxic chamber prior to CsA treatment. In the biocompatibility tests, the different CsA concentrations had no negative effect on RGCs and microglia. Neuroprotective effects after a hypoxic insult on RGCs was demonstrated at a concentration of 9 µg/mL CsA. CsA counteracted the hypoxia-induced loss of RGCs, reduced the percentage of TUNEL+ RGCs, and prevented a decrease in retinal thickness. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that CsA can effectively protect RGCs from hypoxia, and the administered concentrations were well tolerated. Further in vivo studies are needed to determine whether local CsA treatment may be a suitable option for hypoxic retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schnichels
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Maximilian Schultheiss
- Clinic for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Patricia Klemm
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Matthias Blak
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Stuttgart, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thoralf Herrmann
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany;
| | - Marion Melchinger
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Karl-Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Marina Löscher
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Günther Zeck
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martin Stehphan Spitzer
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
- Clinic for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - José Hurst
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.S.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (K.-U.B.-S.); (M.L.); (M.S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7071/29-87-883
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7
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Hurst J, Fietz A, Tsai T, Joachim SC, Schnichels S. Organ Cultures for Retinal Diseases. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:583392. [PMID: 33324149 PMCID: PMC7724035 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.583392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful development of novel therapies is closely linked with understanding the underlying pathomechanisms of a disease. To do so, model systems that reflect human diseases and allow for the evaluation of new therapeutic approaches are needed. Yet, preclinical animal studies often have limited success in predicting human physiology, pathology, and therapeutic responses. Moreover, animal testing is facing increasing ethical and bureaucratic hurdles, while human cell cultures are limited in their ability to represent in vivo situations due to the lack of the tissue microenvironment, which may alter cellular responses. To overcome these struggles, organ cultures, especially those of complex organs such as the retina, can be used to study physiological reactions to substances or stressors. Human and animal organ cultures are now well established and recognized. This mini-review discusses how retinal organ cultures can be used to preserve tissue architecture more realistically and therefore better represent disease-related changes. It also shows how molecular biological, biochemical, and histological techniques can be combined to investigate how anatomical localization may alter cellular responses. Examples for the use of retinal organ cultures, including models to study age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), central artery occlusion (CRAO), and glaucoma are presented, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. We conclude that organ cultures significantly improve our understanding of complex retinal diseases and may advance treatment testing without the need for animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Hurst
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Agnes Fietz
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Teresa Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie C. Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven Schnichels
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Wagner N, Reinehr S, Gammel MR, Greulich A, Hurst J, Dick HB, Schnichels S, Joachim SC. Novel Porcine Retina Cultivation Techniques Provide Improved Photoreceptor Preservation. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:556700. [PMID: 33122987 PMCID: PMC7573241 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.556700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries among people over 60 years. It has multiple triggers and risk factors, but despite intense research efforts, its pathomechanisms are currently not completely understood. AMD pathogenesis is characterized by soft drusen in Bruch’s membrane and involves the retinal pigment epithelium–Bruch’s membrane-choroid complex and adjacent structures, like photoreceptors. This study explores the potential of novel cultivation techniques to preserve photoreceptors in retinal explants to gain better insights in AMD pathology. The porcine retina explants were cultured for 4 and 8 days using three different explantation techniques, namely, control (photoreceptors facing down, touching the filter), filter (photoreceptors facing up, turned sample using a filter), and tweezers (photoreceptors facing up, turned sample using tweezers). Optical coherence tomography revealed that the tweezers method had the best capacity to limit thinning of the retinal explants. Both novel methods displayed advantages in maintaining outer segment thickness. Additionally, immunofluorescence evaluation revealed a better preservation of opsin+ cells and rhodopsin signal intensity in both novel methods, especially the tweezers method. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated an upregulation of OPSIN and RHODOPSIN mRNA expression in tweezers samples at 8 days. Amacrine and bipolar cell numbers were not altered at day 4 of cultivation, while cultivation until 8 days led to reduced bipolar cell numbers. At 4 days, CALRETININ mRNA was upregulated in filter samples, but protein kinase C alpha expression was downregulated. Retinal ganglion cells were diminished in both novel techniques due to a direct physical contact with the insert. Remarkably, no difference in TUBB3 mRNA expression was detected among the techniques. Nevertheless, both novel methods exhibited an improved retention of photoreceptor cells. In conclusion, the tweezers technique was the most promising one. Due to the high homology of the porcine to the human retina, it provides a reasonable alternative to in vivo rodent models. Consequently, an adapted coculture system based on the current findings may serve as an ex vivo model suitable to analyze AMD pathomechanisms and novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Wagner
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabrina Reinehr
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Maurice R Gammel
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andrea Greulich
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - José Hurst
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - H Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven Schnichels
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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9
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Schnichels S, Paquet-Durand F, Löscher M, Tsai T, Hurst J, Joachim SC, Klettner A. Retina in a dish: Cell cultures, retinal explants and animal models for common diseases of the retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100880. [PMID: 32721458 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For many retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR), the exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Moreover, the currently available therapeutic options are often unsatisfactory. Research designed to remedy this situation heavily relies on experimental animals. However, animal models often do not faithfully reproduce human disease and, currently, there is strong pressure from society to reduce animal research. Overall, this creates a need for improved disease models to understand pathologies and develop treatment options that, at the same time, require fewer or no experimental animals. Here, we review recent advances in the field of in vitro and ex vivo models for AMD, glaucoma, and DR. We highlight the difficulties associated with studies on complex diseases, in which both the initial trigger and the ensuing pathomechanisms are unclear, and then delineate which model systems are optimal for disease modelling. To this end, we present a variety of model systems, ranging from primary cell cultures, over organotypic cultures and whole eye cultures, to animal models. Specific advantages and disadvantages of such models are discussed, with a special focus on their relevance to putative in vivo disease mechanisms. In many cases, a replacement of in vivo research will mean that several different in vitro models are used in conjunction, for instance to analyze and validate causative molecular pathways. Finally, we argue that the analytical decomposition into appropriate cell and tissue model systems will allow making significant progress in our understanding of complex retinal diseases and may furthermore advance the treatment testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schnichels
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Löscher
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Teresa Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - José Hurst
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexa Klettner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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10
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Faissner S, Graz F, Reinehr S, Petrikowski L, Haupeltshofer S, Ceylan U, Stute G, Winklmeier S, Pache F, Paul F, Ruprecht K, Meinl E, Dick HB, Gold R, Kleiter I, Joachim SC. Binding patterns and functional properties of human antibodies to AQP4 and MOG on murine optic nerve and retina. J Neuroimmunol 2020; 342:577194. [PMID: 32143071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune-inflammatory CNS disease affecting spinal cord and optic nerves, mediated by autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG). Effects of those immunoglobulins (Ig) on retina and optic nerve are incompletely understood. We investigated AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG sera on retina and optic nerve ex vivo and in 2D2 mice, which harbor a transgenic MOG-specific T-cell receptor. Some sera reacted with murine retina and optic nerve showing distinct binding patterns, suggesting different epitopes being targeted in both subgroups. Transfer of total IgG from a MOG-IgG positive patient to 2D2 mice did neither enhance disability nor induce functional or histological alterations in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Faissner
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Florian Graz
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany; Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabrina Reinehr
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Laura Petrikowski
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany; Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Steffen Haupeltshofer
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ulaş Ceylan
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Gesa Stute
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephan Winklmeier
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Florence Pache
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friedemann Paul
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Clinical Research Center und Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klemens Ruprecht
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edgar Meinl
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - H Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ingo Kleiter
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany; Marianne-Strauß-Klinik, Behandlungszentrum Kempfenhausen für Multiple Sklerose Kranke, Berg, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
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11
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Klemm P, Hurst J, Dias Blak M, Herrmann T, Melchinger M, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Zeck G, Schultheiss M, Spitzer MS, Schnichels S. Hypothermia protects retinal ganglion cells against hypoxia-induced cell death in a retina organ culture model. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 47:1043-1054. [PMID: 31152487 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxia contributes to retinal damage in several retinal diseases, including central retinal artery occlusion, with detrimental consequences like painless, monocular loss of vision. Currently, the treatment options are severely limited due to the short therapy window, as the neuronal cells, especially the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), are irreversibly damaged within the first few hours. Hypothermia might be a possible treatment option or at least might increase the therapy window. METHODS To investigate the neuroprotective effect of hypothermia after retinal hypoxia, an easy-to-use ex vivo retinal hypoxia organ culture model developed in our laboratory was used that reliably induced retinal damage on a structural, molecular and functional level. The neuroprotective effect of hypothermia after retinal hypoxia was analysed using optical coherence tomography scans, histological stainings, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and microelectrode array recordings. RESULTS Two different hypothermic temperatures (30°C and 20°C) were evaluated, both exhibited strong neuroprotective effects. Most importantly, hypothermia increased RGC survival after retinal hypoxia. Furthermore, hypothermia counteracted the hypoxia-induced RGC death, reduced macroglia activation, attenuated retinal thinning and protected from loss of spontaneous RGC activity. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that already a mild reduction in temperature protects the RGCs against damage and could function as a promising therapeutic option for hypoxic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Klemm
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - José Hurst
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Dias Blak
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thoralf Herrmann
- Department of Neurophysics, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Marion Melchinger
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karl U Bartz-Schmidt
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Günther Zeck
- Department of Neurophysics, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schultheiss
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinic for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin S Spitzer
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinic for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Schnichels
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Rettinger CL, Wang HC. Current Advancements in the Development and Characterization of Full-Thickness Adult Neuroretina Organotypic Culture Systems. Cells Tissues Organs 2019; 206:119-132. [PMID: 30879015 DOI: 10.1159/000497296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy constitute the leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world. There is a continuous demand in investigative ophthalmic research for the development of new treatment modalities for retinal therapy. Unfortunately, efforts to identify novel neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents have often been hindered by an experimental model gap that exists between high-throughput methods via dissociated cells and preclinical animal models. Even though dissociated cell culture is rapid and high-throughput, it is limited in its ability to reproduce the in vivo conditions. In contrast, preclinical animal models may offer greater fidelity, albeit they lack efficiency and experimental control. Retina explant cultures provide an ideal bridge to close this gap and have been used to study an array of biological processes such as retinal development and neurodegeneration. However, it is often difficult to interpret findings from these studies due to the wide variety of experimental species and culture methods used. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current ex vivo neuroretina culture methods and assessments, with a focus on their suitability, advantages, and disadvantages, along with novel insights and perspectives on the organotypic culture model as a high-throughput platform for screening promising molecules for retinal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Rettinger
- Ocular and Sensory Trauma Task Area, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA,
| | - Heuy-Ching Wang
- Ocular and Sensory Trauma Task Area, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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FluoroGold-Labeled Organotypic Retinal Explant Culture for Neurotoxicity Screening Studies. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:2487473. [PMID: 29560079 PMCID: PMC5831603 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2487473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical toxicity screening of the new retinal compounds is an absolute requirement in the pathway of further drug development. Since retinal neuron cultivation and in vivo studies are relatively expensive and time consuming, we aimed to create a fast and reproducible ex vivo system for retinal toxicity screening. For this purpose, we used rat retinal explant culture that was retrogradely labeled with the FluoroGold before the isolation. Explants were exposed to a toxic concentration of gentamicin and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a known neuroprotective agent. The measured outcomes showed the cell density in retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture medium. Gentamicin-induced oxidative stress resulted in retinal cell damage and rapid LDH release to the culture medium (p < 0.05). Additional CNTF supplementation minimized the cell damage, and the increase of LDH release was insignificant when compared to LDH levels before gentamicin insult (p > 0.05). As well as this, the LDH activity was directly correlated with the cell count in GCL (R = −0.84, p < 0.00001), making a sensitive marker of retinal neuron damage. The FLOREC protocol could be considered as a fast, reproducible, and sensitive method to detect neurotoxicity in the screening studies of the retinal drugs.
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14
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Schnichels S, Blak M, Hurst J, Dorfi T, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Ziemssen F, Spitzer MS, Schultheiss M. Establishment of a retinal hypoxia organ culture model. Biol Open 2017; 6:1056-1064. [PMID: 28711869 PMCID: PMC5550914 DOI: 10.1242/bio.025429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia plays an important role in several retinal diseases, especially in central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Although CRAO has been known for over a hundred years, no cure or sufficient treatment is available. Potential therapies are being evaluated in several in vivo models or primary cultures. However, in vivo models or primary cultures are very time-consuming, expensive, and furthermore several therapies or agents cannot be tested. Therefore, we aimed to develop a standardized organotypic ex vivo retinal hypoxia model. A chamber was developed in which rat retinal explants were incubated for different hypoxia durations. Afterwards, the retinas were adjusted to normal air and incubated for 24, 48 or 72 h under standard conditions. To analyze the retinal explants, and in particular the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) immunohistology, western blot and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements were performed. To compare our model to a standardized degeneration model, additional retinal explants were treated with 0.5 and 1 mM glutamate. Depending on hypoxia duration and incubation time, the amount of RGCs decreased and accordingly, the amount of TUNEL-positive RGCs increased. Furthermore, β-III-tubulin expression and retinal thickness significantly decreased with longer-lasting hypoxia. The reduction of RGCs induced by 75 min of hypoxia was comparable to the one of 1 mM glutamate treatment after 24 h (20.27% versus 19.69%) and 48 h (13.41% versus 14.41%) of incubation. We successfully established a cheap, standardized, easy-to-use organotypic culture model for retinal hypoxia. We selected 75 min of hypoxia for further studies, as approximately 50% of the RGC died compared to the control group after 48 h. Summary: An easy-to-use ex vivo retinal hypoxia model is introduced that reliably induced retinal damage on a morphological (retinal thickness), and molecular (protein expression and apoptotic markers) level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schnichels
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - M Blak
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, Katharinen-Hospital Klinikum Stuttgart, Kriegsbergstr. 60, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - J Hurst
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - T Dorfi
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - K U Bartz-Schmidt
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - F Ziemssen
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - M S Spitzer
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraβe 52, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M Schultheiss
- Centre of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraβe 52, Hamburg, Germany
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