Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare strain and sex differences in a rat model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the presence or absence of rat-specific anti-VEGF antibody (ARVA).
Methods: :
Four bilateral laser ruptures of Bruch’s membrane using a diode laser were created on Day 1 concurrent with intravitreal injection of ARVA (2 µL, 4 µg/eye) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS, 2 µL), followed by a second dose on Day 13. Fluorescein angiograms (FA) were obtained on Days 7, 14 and 21 using a CSLO. Individual laser spots were evaluated for fluorescein leakage semiquantatively on a scale of 0-4.
Results: :
No sex differences in the incidence of clinically relevant lesions (Grade 3 or 4) were noted for either strain in eyes treated with PBS. Overall mean FA scores and incidence of Grade 3 and 4 lesions were higher in BN rats receiving PBS when compared to LE rats, suggesting increased CNV in BN rats. ARVA appeared to decrease CNV in LE males on Days 7 and 14 and on Day 7 only for LE females. CNV in male BN rats given ARVA was decreased on Day 14 only. CNV in female BN rats was unaffected or increased when compared to PBS on most occasions.
Conclusions: :
While BN rats administered PBS developed more severe CNV than LE rats, the LE rats appeared to be more sensitive to intravitreal ARVA. The ARVA results were variable and more apparent in the males of both strains. Inflammatory response (not evaluated) to the murine-derived ARVA may have played a role in this variability and/or the ARVA dose of 4 µg/eye given twice intravitreally, two weeks apart may not have been optimal to decrease neovascularization.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • laser • age-related macular degeneration