A new animal model of choroidal neovascularization

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica 2005-12, Vol.83 (6), p.697-704
• Main Authors: Kiilgaard, Jens F., Andersen, Mads Varis Nis, Wiencke, Anne K., Scherfig, Erik, La Cour, Morten, Tezel, Tongalp H., Prause, Jan U.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: age‐related macular degeneration; Animals; Bruch Membrane - injuries; Bruch's membrane; Choroid - blood supply; choroidal neovascularization; Choroidal Neovascularization - etiology; Choroidal Neovascularization - metabolism; Choroidal Neovascularization - pathology; Debridement - methods; Disease Models, Animal; Factor VIII - metabolism; Laser Coagulation - methods; Reproducibility of Results; retinal pigment epithelium; Rupture; subretinal neovascularization; Swine; von Willebrand Factor - metabolism
• ISSN: 1395-3907; 1600-0420
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2005.00566.x

. Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of different methods to induce choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the domestic pig. Methods:  A total of 26 Danish landrace pigs was used. A sample of 22 eyes in 12 pigs underwent retinal photocoagulation with a xenon lamp, six eyes in four pigs underwent retinal photocoagulation with a diode laser, and mechanical rupture of Bruch's membrane (BM) was induced in 12 pigs following surgical debridement of the retinal pigment epithelium without damage to the neuroretina. Results:  All 12 pigs (100%) in the group with mechanical rupture of BM developed CNV. The induced membranes were morphologically similar to CNV membranes in humans. Induced CNV was found in 13 of 22 (54%) xenon lamp‐treated animals and in five of six (83%) diode laser‐treated animals. The CNV in these groups was small and the morphology of the induced lesions was dominated by retinal gliosis and retinal neovascularization, probably due to a marked destruction of the neuroretina. Conclusions:  Surgical debridement of the retinal pigment epithelium followed by mechanical rupture of BM is a reproducible method of producing CNV in the domestic pig, whereas photocoagulation gives rise to glially derived subretinal fibrovascular membranes and primarily retinal neovascularization.