Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic, bilateral and very disabling disease and thus a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Replacement of the diseased retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is considered an attractive possibility for cases of AMD not suitable to be managed with the standard treatments. In this model autologous translocation of the choroid and RPE is carried out in porcine eyes closely following the technique described by van Meurs & Van Den Biesen (2003).
The ability of the cornea to heal and maintain its clarity has paramount importance in preserving the eyesight. In the ocular surface, a pathologic wound healing process, along with local inflammation and neovascularization, can induce failure in the functional recovery of the ocular surface tissues, which can lead to corneal blindness. In this in vivo model, central corneal wound is induced by a filter paper disc (6 mm in diameter) soaked with 1-heptanol in New Zealand white rabbits.
Limbal stem cells are responsible for the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium. The destruction or dysfunction of these stem cells or their niche induces limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) leading to visual loss, chronic pain, and inflammation of the ocular surface.
In this in vivo model, total LSCD is developed in pigs by n-heptanol-based denudation of the corneal surface and 360º limbal cryogenic lesions.
Limbal stem cells are responsible for the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium. The destruction or dysfunction of these stem cells or their niche induces limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) leading to visual loss, chronic pain, and inflammation of the ocular surface.
A partial LSCD model is created in rabbits by denudation of corneal surface with n-hepanol soaked cotton swabs and surgical 180º limbal peritomy (temporal limbus, from 7 to 1 o’clock) using a crescent knife.
Limbal stem cells are responsible for the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium. The destruction or dysfunction of these stem cells or their niche induces limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) leading to visual loss, chronic pain, and inflammation of the ocular surface.
A total LSCD model is created in New Zealand rabbits by denudation of corneal surface with cotton n-hepanol soaked cotton swabs and surgical 360º limbal peritomy using a crescent knife.
The human retinal pigment epithelium cells culture (ARPE-19 cell line) is useful for testing safety of intraocular medical devices using a direct contact method according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Bacterial endophthalmitis is an infection and inflammation of the posterior segment of the eye which can result in significant loss of visual acuity. Experimental animal models have been used to examine various aspects of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of bacterial endophthalmitis, to further the development of anti-inflammatory treatment strategies, and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and efficacies of antibiotics. In this model, rabbits were inoculated intravitreally with 200 CFU of a typed strain of S. aureus.
The ability of the cornea to heal and maintain its clarity has paramount importance in preserving the eyesight. In the ocular surface, a pathologic wound healing process, along with local inflammation and neovascularization, can induce failure in the functional recovery of the ocular surface tissues, which can lead to corneal blindness. In particular, corneal healing process under inflammatory conditions is not fully understood.
Organotypic neuroretina culture, from human and other mammals, has been demonstrably useful in improving our knowledge of retinal physiology and pathobiology. Furthermore, in organotypic cultures the morphology and functionality of the organ is temporarily retained, and experimental conditions are under control. We have also developed double and triple layered co-culture models, with neuroretina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and/or stem cells.
Organotypic neuroretina culture, from human and other mammals, has been demonstrably useful for testing safety of intraocular medical devices. Neuroretina explants are exposed to the medical device in order to test toxicity. After exposure time, the product is removed, and explants are washed. Neuroretina explants are kept in an incubator and cultivated for 72 hours as organotypic cultures.
