Ace Therapeutics specializes in constructing ex vivo models by isolating ocular tissues from various animal species. Each of these tissues plays a critical role in advancing the understanding of glaucoma, a multifaceted and complex eye disease.
Ex Vivo Models of Glaucoma
Ex vivo models are invaluable tools for addressing the current questions regarding physiological and pathological events that are challenging to study in vivo. Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and damage to the optic nerve. Existing therapies focus on slowing disease progression but do not provide a cure for glaucoma. Therefore, ex vivo ocular models are essential to explore potential neuroprotective approaches.
Fig.1 Schematic of experimental procedure for adult retina explant cultures and examples of ex vivo analyses. (Schaeffer J, et al., 2020)
Glaucoma Ex Vivo Ocular Model Customization Services
Ace Therapeutics isolates specific ocular tissues from animal models to provide our clients with deeper insights into glaucoma. Our isolated ocular tissues enable researchers to identify tissue-specific changes that occur during glaucoma progression and support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
- Retina
The retina is a key target in glaucoma research due to its central role in disease progression.A robust platform for investigating the intricate cellular and molecular alterations associated with glaucoma can be provided by our ex vivo retina. Our models allow our clients to study the early stages of glaucoma-induced neurodegeneration in depth and provides an ideal system for evaluating the efficacy of neuroprotective agents.
- Optic Nerve
Optic nerve damage is a hallmark feature of glaucoma. The optic nerves that we isolated from tissues allow for the detailed investigation of the mechanisms underlying glaucoma-related optic nerve damage. Utilizing our optic nerve models can help researchers understand these mechanisms to develop targeted therapies that can potentially halt or even reverse optic nerve degeneration.
- Cornea
The cornea plays a vital part in maintaining intraocular pressure (IOP).Our ex vivo corneal models serve as a powerful platform for investigating the effects of glaucoma on corneal endothelial cells and stromal tissue. The corneal models deliver valuable insights into the biomechanical and cellular changes associated with glaucoma, helping researchers better understand the disease's broader impact on ocular health and function.
- Iris
The iris, a critical component of the eye's anterior segment, plays a significant role in regulating IOP.Our isolated iris tissues serve as an effective platform for testing drugs that modulate iris function and reduce IOP.
- Choroid + Sclera
The choroid and sclera are essential for maintaining a stable intraocular environment and regulating IOP.Our combined ex vivo choroid-sclera models enable researchers to investigate changes in blood flow and structural integrity in response to glaucoma-related stress.
In addition to these ex vivo ocular models, we also provide isolated ocular tissues, including but not limited to the lens, vitreous humor and conjunctiva. Each of these tissues offers distinct advantages for investigating specific aspects of glaucoma pathophysiology.
Our Capabilities
At Ace Therapeutics, our technical team has expertise in ophthalmic sampling as well as pathology and molecular testing, and aims to provide a full range of ophthalmic pharmacodynamic analysis services.
- Ocular tissue sampling (Retina, optic nerve, vitreous humor, conjunctiva, etc.)
- Ocular histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis (H&E stain of eyeball/retina, retinal/choroidal flat mounts, retinal/choroidal multicolor immunofluorescence, etc.)
- Molecular biology (Detection of ocular tissue gene/protein expression levels using qPCR, Western Blot and ELISA)
Ace Therapeutics offers comprehensive data analysis and scientific support to enable our clients to advance their preclinical drug development programs. Contact us to discover how our ex vivo platforms can support your glaucoma research.
References
- Schaeffer J, et al. Adult Mouse Retina Explants: From ex vivo to in vivo Model of Central Nervous System Injuries. Front Mol Neurosci, 2020, 13: 599948.