Ace Therapeutics specializes in developing and customizing retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced glaucoma models that effectively recapitulate glaucoma-associated neurodegeneration and intraocular pressure (IOP)-independent pathology. Our models provide a reliable platform for studying glaucoma pathophysiology and screening potential therapeutic agents.
Understanding Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Glaucoma
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury is a critical pathophysiological process implicated in glaucoma, contributing to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis, oxidative stress, and optic nerve damage. During ischemia, inadequate blood flow deprives retinal tissues of oxygen and nutrients, while reperfusion exacerbates injury through reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, inflammation, and calcium overload. These mechanisms are closely associated with glaucoma pathology, particularly in normotensive glaucoma, where vascular dysregulation and RGC loss are central.
Fig. 1 Ischemia/reperfusion induced retinal detachment at day 3 and day 7 after injury. (Kim B J, et al., 2013)
Explore Our Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Models
Ace Therapeutics' retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury models recapitulate the key pathological processes associated with glaucoma, enabling targeted research into IOP-independent therapeutics. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, from model development to phenotypic and molecular analysis, ensuring robust preclinical data for drug discovery.
Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Models
We develop retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury models using a standardized method to induce transient ischemia via controlled elevation of IOP followed by reperfusion. The success of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury model establishment is validated by observing morphological and hemodynamic changes in retinal vasculature.
Our retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury models effectively recapitulate key pathological features of glaucoma, including retinal degeneration and functional deficits, and are available in multiple species, including rodents and other larger animals, enabling flexible study designs and supporting translational research applications.
Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Model Validation Services
We can also determine the successful establishment of the retinal ischemia-reperfusion models by evaluating the following characteristics.
- Changes in retinal thickness, retinal detachment, and neuronal loss.
- Impaired retinal function.
- Gene expression changes and gliosis.
Our Technical Platforms for Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Models
- Optokinetic response (OKR)
Quantify visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. - Retinal ganglion cell counting
Assess RGC density on retinal flat mounts. - OCT imaging
Measure the thickness of the ganglion cell complex.
Advantages of Our Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Models for Glaucoma Research
- IOP-independent pathology
Study vascular mechanisms and neuroprotection without confounding IOP effects. - High clinical relevance
Replicate the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation associated with retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, which are central to glaucoma progression. - Customizable injury severity
Adjust the duration of ischemia (30-90 minutes) to model early to late stages of disease. - Model Versatility in Drug Development
Suitable for a wide range of applications, including mechanistic investigations, drug screening, and efficacy studies.
As a preclinical contract research service provider, Ace Therapeutics collaborates closely with clients to customize retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury models based on specific research questions, ensuring alignment with your study objectives. Contact us now to discuss how our retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced glaucoma models can support your research needs.
Reference
- Kim B J, et al. Progressive morphological changes and impaired retinal function associated with temporal regulation of gene expression after retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice. Mol Neurodegener, 2013, 8:21.