Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
1-2017
Publication Source
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Volume
58
Issue
1
Start Page
270
Last Page
281
DOI
10.1167/iovs.16-20749
Abstract
Purpose
To characterize a light damage paradigm and establish structural and immunocytochemical measures of acute and protracted light-induced retinal degeneration in the rhodopsin (RHO) T4R dog model of RHO–autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP).
Methods
Retinal light damage was induced in mutant dogs with a 1-minute exposure to various light intensities (0.1–1.0 mW/cm2) delivered with a Ganzfeld stimulator, or by fundus photography. Photoreceptor cell death was assessed by TUNEL assay, and alterations in retinal layers were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry 24 hours and 2 weeks after light exposure. Detailed topographic maps were made to document changes in the outer retinal layers of all four retinal quadrants 2 weeks post exposure.
Results
Twenty-four hours post light exposure, the severity of photoreceptor cell death was dose dependent. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed disruption of rod outer segments, focal loss of the RPE integrity, and an increase in expression of endothelin receptor B in Müller cells with the two highest doses of light and fundus photography. Two weeks after light exposure, persistence of photoreceptor death, thinning of the outer nuclear layer, and induction of Müller cell gliosis occurred with the highest doses of light.
Conclusions
We have characterized outcome measures of acute and continuing retinal degeneration in the RHO T4R dog following light exposure. These will be used to assess the molecular mechanisms of light-induced damage and rescue strategies in this large animal model of RHO-ADRP.
Copyright/Permission Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Keywords
retinal degeneration, light damage, rhodopsin, ADRP, canine model
Recommended Citation
Sudharsan, R., Simone, K. M., Anderson, N. P., Aguirre, G. D., & Beltran, W. A. (2017). Acute and Protracted Cell Death in Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration in the Canine Model of Rhodopsin Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58 (1), 270-281. http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.16-20749
Date Posted: 20 April 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.