Application of in vivo Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis Imaging Technique in the Mouse

Abstract

Purpose: : The mouse is an extremely useful tool in biological science. We have recently established our novel technique for imaging retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis in rats using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether we could use the same technique in mice.

Methods: : RGC death was induced by intravitreal injections in rat and mouse eyes using Staurosporine or vehicle control. Fluorescent labeled Annexin V was administered simultaneously. Retinal fluorescent images were aquired from 1–4 hours after the injections and apoptosing fluorescent counts in 90 individual retinal frames from 5 mouse and 5 rat eyes were analysed.

Results: : Apoptosing retinal fluorescent points (ARFP) were detected in both animal models. The mean number of ARFP was found to be 47 in the mouse eye compared to 97 in the rat. Compared to the rat (15–20 um) the maximal ARFP diameter size for the mouse was 5–10 um. The highest density of ARFP in the mouse was found to be around the optic nerve head and for the rat in the superior temporal region.

Conclusions: : We have demonstrated the analysis of retinal apoptosis is possible in the mouse despite the size limitations.This has great implications in the study of transgenic models of retinal disease and their in vivo analysis.

Keywords: apoptosis/cell death • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • ganglion cells