Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Introduction

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a blinding disorder secondary to penetrating ocular trauma, retinal detachment, or surgical repair of retinal detachment. In these cases, disruption of retinal integrity introduces macrophages, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, glial cells, and fibroblasts into the vitreous, where they proliferate and cause inflammation. Although many drugs have shown positive results in existing animal PVR models, none have entered routine clinical use due to limited efficacy in humans. To develop effective therapies for PVR, animal models that accurately represent people's diseases must be established. An ideal animal model for PVR should have anatomy and physiology as close as possible to that of the human eye. Minipigs have several advantages as animal models of ocular disease. They are increasingly used as a surrogate for non-human primates as their eyes closely resemble human eyes.

Fig. 1. Histopathological staining of the retina in an eye with PVR. (Wong CW, et al., 2020)

Service Overview

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a blinding disorder that can occur after penetrating injury and retinal detachment in the eye. In order to develop effective therapeutics against PVR, it is imperative to develop a reproducible animal model that is anatomically close to the human eye and most accurately represents human disease. With this in mind, Ace Therapeutics is committed develop a minipig model of PVR that is consistent and similar to human disease using the understanding of the pathogenesis of PVR. Fortunately, in our laboratory, our researchers successfully engineer a minipig PVR model using native RPE cells through surgical induction. This helps our clients understand the pathogenesis of PVR and is a suitable model for testing new therapies for PVR.

Explore Ace Therapeutics' Minipig Models of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR)

Ace Therapeutics' minipig models of PVR are induced by vitrectomy, retinal detachment, retinotomy, and injection of endogenous retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Specific experimental procedures: Our investigators perform vitrectomy 3 mm from the limbus in minipigs, induced posterior vitreous detachment, followed by core vitrectomy and shaving of the peripheral vitreous. Balanced salt solution (BSS) was then infused into the RPE space, thereby inducing RPE detachment. A retinotomy of 3 disc diameters was created in this area of RPE detachment using a vitrectomy device. Finally, the release of RPE cells into the vitreous cavity mimicked the process that occurs in human PVR. The follow-up period was up to 4 weeks.

It is worth mentioning that most animal models of PVR do not replicate human disease pathogenic processes. Our minipig PVR model relies on the addition of endogenous RPE cells implicated in PVR pathogenesis, more relevant to human disease.

Available Support Services

In order to carefully monitor retinal pathological changes over time and evaluate pharmacodynamics, our researchers take fundus images at different time points and performed a full range of evaluations, including but not limited to:

• IOP measurement.
• Fundus photography.
• Histopathological analysis.
• Immunohistochemical analysis.
• Molecular biology analysis.

Ace Therapeutics aims to provide global customers with an unparalleled minipig PVR model. We are committed to becoming your trusted partner in ocular disease research. If you are interested in our services or need more detailed information, please feel free to contact us. Our experienced scientists are ready to help you!

References

1. Wong CW, Busoy JMF, Cheung N, et al. Endogenous or Exogenous Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: A Comparison of Two Experimental Animal Models of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2020, 9(9):46.
2. Olsen TW, Asheim CG, Salomao DR, et al, Intravitreal Methotrexate Reduces Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in a Randomized Trial in a Porcine Model. Ophthalmol Sci. 2023, 3(3):100296.

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