Wet AMD | MediNect Opto

Wet AMD: Press Kit

Neovascular AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50, and neovascular AMD, also known as wet AMD, is a particularly severe form of the disease. Preclinical animal models play a crucial role in understanding the disease pathology, testing novel therapies, and translating the findings to clinical trials. At MediNect Bioservices, we specialize in preclinical research for neovascular AMD, and we have a range of well-established models designed to mimic the key features of human nAMD that allow us to study the efficacy of potential therapeutics.

Our models exhibit hallmark features of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), such as angiogenesis, vascular leakage, inflammation, and subretinal fibrosis and are validated for efficacy testing of various therapeutic modalities. Our expert team of scientists can also tailor custom models to meet specific research needs. Our models include:

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model: This model involves inducing the growth of new blood vessels in the choroid layer of the eye, which can invade the overlying retina and cause vision loss. The CNV model is a well-established and widely used model for studying neovascular AMD, as it allows researchers to test the efficacy of potential therapeutics in preventing or treating abnormal blood vessel growth.

Two-stage laser CNV model: This model involves creating two separate laser-induced injuries in the retina, which lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels and sustained vascularised fibrotic lesion. This model is particularly useful for studying the effects of therapeutics targeting later stages of the disease.

Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model: This model involves exposing neonatal mice to alternating levels of oxygen, which can disrupt the normal development of blood vessels in the retina and lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels. The OIR model is a widely used model for studying retinal neovascularization, and it is particularly relevant to neovascular AMD research.

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) model: This model involves blocking the retinal vein, which can lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. RVO is a common cause of neovascular AMD, and this model allows researchers to study the underlying mechanisms of RVO and test potential therapeutic interventions.

Genetic models: We also offer certain genically altered animal models that mimic certain features of disease.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50, and neovascular AMD, also known as wet AMD, is a particularly severe form of the disease. At MediNect Bioservices, we specialize in preclinical research for neovascular AMD, and we have a range of well-established models that allow us to study the efficacy of potential therapeutics.

Fluorescein angiography is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess the blood flow and vascular structure of the retina in preclinical animal models. The technique involves the injection of a fluorescent dye, such as fluorescein, into the systemic circulation of the animal. The dye then circulates to the retina, where it highlights the retinal vasculature under fluorescent light.

The outputs provided by fluorescein angiography can be used provides an assessment of retinal blood flow and vascular structure in preclinical models of diabetic retinopathy. It is a good tool to evaluate the efficacy of potential therapies by comparing pre- and post-treatment images on the extent of vascular damage, such as areas of leakage, occlusion, or neovascularisation.

Retinal flat mount staining is a histological technique used to visualize and quantify the morphology and distribution of retinal cells in preclinical animal models of retinal diseases. The technique involves removing the retina from the eye and mounting it onto a glass slide, allowing for visualization of the entire retinal surface.

The outputs provided by retinal flat mount staining can be used to visualise and quantify the morphology and distribution of vasculature, cell therapies, drug distribution and ECM deposition in the retina. We can use this information to assess efficacy. By comparing the staining patterns of retinal cells in pre- and post-treatment retinal flat mounts, researchers can assess the effects of potential therapies on the morphology and distribution of retinal cells.

Our team of experts can also perform detailed quantitative analysis of the flat-mounted retina, including measurements of cell density, size, and morphology. We use specialized software to analyze the images obtained, providing accurate and reliable results.

SD-OCT is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess the structure and thickness of the retina. The technique uses low-coherence interferometry to measure the backscattered light from the retina and generate high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retinal layers.

The outputs provided by SD-OCT can be used by researchers to assess the structure and thickness of the retina. The technique can provide information on the integrity of the retinal layers, such as the thickness of the nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell layer, and the outer nuclear layer.

SD-OCT can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of potential therapies for retinal diseases. By comparing pre- and post-treatment images, researchers can assess the effects of potential therapies on the retinal structure, such as the restoration of the thickness and integrity of the retinal layers.

Our Phoenix Micron IV Focal ERG System is used in preclinical research to measure retinal function in small animals. The system works by projecting a small, focused light stimulus onto specific areas of the retina and recording the electrical response of the retinal cells to the stimulus. The system consists of a microscope with an attached camera and a control unit for stimulus presentation and data acquisition. The stimulus is presented through a specialized optical fiber and the retinal response is recorded through an electrode placed on the cornea.

The system can be used to measure a variety of parameters related to retinal function, including amplitude and latency of the response, which can provide insight into the health of retinal cells and the impact of disease or treatment on retinal function.

Our Espion ERG system consists of a Ganzfeld dome, which provides controlled light stimuli to the rodent's eyes, and a recording device, which measures the electrical responses of the retina. The system can be used to measure a variety of electrophysiological parameters, including the amplitude and latency of the different components of the ERG waveform.

The system can also be used to monitor disease progression over time, providing insights into the natural history of retinal diseases and the effectiveness of potential therapies in slowing or halting disease progression. Additionally, the system can be used to evaluate the safety of potential therapies, by assessing the effects of the therapy on retinal function.

Our OptoMotry HD is a Opto motor analysis (OMA) system that is a non-invasive behavioral assay that utilizes the optokinetic reflex (OKR) to measure the visual function of rodents. The OKR is a reflexive eye movement that occurs in response to moving visual stimuli. OMA involves placing the rodent in a virtual environment, where a moving grating pattern is projected on a screen. The rodent's response to the moving grating is recorded, allowing for quantification of visual function.

In neovascular AMD rodent models, abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, leading to vision impairment. OMA can be used to assess the visual function of these animals before and after treatment with potential therapies.

The grating pattern used in OMA can be adjusted to different spatial frequencies, allowing for the measurement of spatial frequency thresholds (SFT). SFT is the minimum spatial frequency at which the rodent can discriminate the direction of the moving grating. Lower SFT values indicate better visual function.

In neovascular AMD rodent models, SFT values are typically elevated due to the pathology. Treatment with potential therapies can improve SFT values, indicating a restoration of visual function. OMA can also be used to monitor the progression of neovascular AMD by measuring changes in SFT values over time.

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