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Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in a Feline Large Animal Model
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Cats: a gold mine for ophthalmology
Kristina Narfström1, Koren Holland Deckman, Marilyn Menotti-Raymond
1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201;
Annual Review of Animal Biosciences
|November 12, 2014
Summary
Cats serve as valuable models for human hereditary eye diseases, offering anatomical and physiological similarities. Research into feline ophthalmology aids in understanding and treating human eye conditions.
Area of Science:
- Comparative Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
Background:
- Over 200 hereditary diseases identified in cats, several impacting the eye.
- Cats share anatomical, physiological, and lifespan similarities with humans, making them superior models to mice.
- Advancements in feline genomics facilitate the study of hereditary conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the cat as a valuable animal model for human hereditary eye diseases.
- To review specific feline eye disease groups relevant to human ophthalmic research.
- To emphasize the utility of feline models in developing and testing new therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on feline hereditary eye diseases.
- Comparison of feline and human ocular anatomy and physiology.
- Analysis of genetic resources and mapping in feline models.
Main Results:
- Feline models exhibit significant homology to human hereditary eye diseases.
- Specific groups like lysosomal storage disorders, congenital glaucoma, and neuroretinal degenerations are relevant.
- Feline models are crucial for advancing research in comparative ophthalmology.
Conclusions:
- Cats are highly valuable for comparative ophthalmology research due to shared disease characteristics with humans.
- Feline models are instrumental in advancing the study of new treatment regimens and therapeutic trials for eye diseases.
- Understanding feline eye diseases provides critical insights into human ophthalmic conditions.
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