A new animal model of choroidal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Kiilgaard
Jens F
JF
Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. JFK@dadlnet.dk
Andersen
Mads Varis Nis
MV
Wiencke
Anne K
AK
Scherfig
Erik
E
la Cour
Morten
M
Tezel
Tongalp H
TH
Prause
Jan U
JU
D000818:Animals; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000293:injuries; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000378:metabolism; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012421:Rupture; D013552:Swine; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII