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COMP‐Ang1 prevents structural and functional damage of the retina in a mouse model of central retinal artery occlusion
Author(s) -
Olson Paul Robert,
Cahoon Judd Michael,
Flood Maggie Marie,
Zhang Xiao Hui,
Ambati Balamurali Krishna
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.685.19
Subject(s) - central retinal artery occlusion , retinal , retina , ophthalmology , medicine , central retinal artery , erg , anatomy , biology , neuroscience
The retina is the most metabollicaly active tissue in the body. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a leading cause of blindness. CRAO results in retinal edema, changes in morphology, and loss of electrical function. We hypothesize that by stabilizing retinal blood vessels, the effects of CRAO can be mitigated. Cartilage Oligomatrix Protein Angiopoietin1 (COMP‐Ang1), promotes vascular stability through the Tie‐2 receptor mediated increase in adherens junctions. We tested whether COMP‐Ang1 could prevent the pathologies of CRAO. C57 mice were treated with intravitreal injections of PBS, or viral vector expressing GFP or COMP‐Ang1. Vessel occlusion in mice was accomplished by excitation of intravenously injected rose bengal by laser (588 nm) focused on the central retinal artery. COMP‐Ang1 decreased retinal edema, as evidenced by cross‐sections taken 1 day after laser, and maintained retinal morphology when compared to mice treated with control. COMP‐Ang1 improved both electrical retinal function, as assesed by scotopic electrical retinogram (ERG) (b‐wave amplitude 120 uV compared to 25uV control) and visual acuity, as determined by optokinetic tracking response (OptoMotry) (0.134 +/− 0.08 cycles/degree compared to 0.075 +/− 0.02 cycles/degree, control). These results demonstrate that promoting vascular stability may be beneficial to patients with CRAO and other retinal ischemic diseases.