Why Do You Need a Methylglyoxal-Induced Retinal Angiogenesis Model in Zebrafish Embryo?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of acquired blindness worldwide, and its incidence increases with diabetes mellitus (DM). The early stage of DR is nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), characterized by loss of retinal capillary pericytes, microaneurysms, and exudates caused by increased retinal capillary permeability. These changes will lead to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) which is the most serious diabetes complication and a leading cause of blindness. Although many animal models have been used in diabetes research, there is no ideal animal model to mimic human DR clinical progression and pathology, especially difficult to show proliferative angiogenesis in a limited time. Therefore, an animal model is urgently needed to elucidate the development and progression of PDR so as to develop effective strategies to prevent or treat this disease.

Fig. 1. Effects of MG and glucose treatment on retinal angiogenesis in 4 dpf zebrafish. (Li Y, et al., 2019)

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Methylglyoxal (MG) is believed to be a causal factor for retinal vascular damage, which can damage the blood-retinal barrier by disrupting tight junction proteins associated with diabetes microvascular pathology. In view of this, Ace Therapeutics has devoted itself to exploring MG to induce retinal vascular proliferation in zebrafish embryos in recent years. Fortunately, our researchers successfully develop an MG-induced model of retinal angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos that reflects the hallmark of late-stage proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in diabetic patients, i.e. retinal neovascularization.

Importantly, our zebrafish embryo model provides a viable opportunity to screen for bioactive compounds that mitigate neovascular retinopathy. In addition, due to the model evaluating the acute vascular response to methylglyoxal, benefits our clients in large-scale drug screening.

Explore Ace Therapeutics' Methylglyoxal-Induced Retinal Angiogenesis Model in Zebrafish Embryo

Ace Therapeutics' MG-induced retinal angiogenesis model in zebrafish embryos was achieved by placing zebrafish embryos in a solution of 1000 µM MG containing 30 mM glucose and incubating them together. The follow-up period was 4 days.

Model characteristics: Increased area of retinal vessels.

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In order to determine whether MG can induce abnormal vascular changes and angiogenesis in zebrafish within a short incubation period, and to evaluate potential anti-vascular therapies, our researchers use the following methods to judge retinal damage condition and evaluate efficacy, including but not limited to:

• Fluorescence microscopy analysis
• Fundus photography
• Quantitative analysis of retinal vessel area
• Western blot analysis

Ace Therapeutics aims to provide a powerful analytical tool to help our global customers explore pathogenic mechanisms or evaluate treatments for DR. 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!

Reference

1. Li Y, Zhao Y, Sang S, et al. Methylglyoxal-Induced Retinal Angiogenesis in Zebrafish Embryo: A Potential Animal Model of Neovascular Retinopathy. J Ophthalmol. 2019, 2019:2746735.

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