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A Laser-induced Mouse Model of Chronic Ocular Hypertension to Characterize Visual Defects
Published on: August 14, 2013
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Viral Vector-Induced Ocular Hypertension in Mice.
J Cameron Millar1, Yogapriya Sundaresan1,2, Gulab S Zode1,2
1Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 9, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a viral gene therapy method to create glaucoma in mice. This technique reliably increases eye pressure by blocking fluid drainage, offering a new model for studying the disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Ocular hypertension, a primary risk factor for glaucoma, results from impaired aqueous humor outflow.
- Current models for studying glaucoma pathogenesis have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel, inducible, and reproducible method for creating ocular hypertension in mice.
- To investigate the use of viral vectors for targeting the trabecular meshwork.
- To provide a new tool for understanding glaucoma and testing therapies.
Main Methods:
- Viral transduction of the mouse trabecular meshwork using adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) and lentiviruses.
- Intraocular injections to deliver transgenes associated with glaucoma.
- Measurement of intraocular pressure using a rebound tonometer.
- Assessment of aqueous humor outflow facility in live anesthetized mice.
Main Results:
- Adenovirus and lentiviruses demonstrated selective tropism for the mouse trabecular meshwork.
- Viral transduction successfully generated inducible and reproducible ocular hypertension.
- The method allowed for accurate measurement of intraocular pressure and outflow facility.
Conclusions:
- Viral transduction of the trabecular meshwork provides a robust method for creating a mouse model of ocular hypertension.
- This model system facilitates the study of the conventional outflow pathway in glaucoma.
- The developed technique is valuable for advancing glaucoma research.
