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Imaging apoptosis in the eye

M F Cordeiro1, C Migdal, P Bloom

  • 1Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Visual Neurosciences, Bath Street, London, UK. m.cordeiro@ucl.ac.uk

Eye (London, England)
|March 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Detection of Apoptosing Retinal Cells (DARC) imaging visualizes programmed cell death in the retina. This innovative technique may enable early glaucoma detection and therapy assessment before irreversible vision loss.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial in physiological and pathological processes.
  • In vivo imaging of apoptosis using radiolabeled annexin V has advanced disease detection and therapy monitoring.
  • Fluorescently labeled annexin V enables visualization of apoptotic retinal cells via ophthalmoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate the DARC (Detection of Apoptosing Retinal Cells) technique for in vivo retinal apoptosis imaging.
  • To assess the potential of DARC for early diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.
  • To explore DARC as a novel endpoint for evaluating glaucoma therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing fluorescently labeled annexin V for in vivo imaging of apoptosis in retinal cells.
  • Employing ophthalmoscopy for visualization of DARC.
  • Planning clinical trials in glaucoma patients.

Main Results:

  • DARC shows promise for direct assessment of retinal ganglion cell health.
  • The technique allows for early, quantitative analysis of cellular degeneration in glaucoma.
  • Results suggest DARC can identify patients at risk of irreversible vision loss.

Conclusions:

  • DARC represents a significant advancement in visualizing retinal apoptosis in real-time.
  • This method holds potential for early glaucoma detection and intervention.
  • DARC may offer a much-needed rapid, objective clinical endpoint for glaucoma treatment efficacy.

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