The use of animal disease models for research studies of age–related macular degeneration

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To study and compare animal disease models that have been created, observed, and/or investigated to study the clinical and pathobiologic features of age–related macular degeneration (AMD) and its possible treatments. Methods: Metaanalysis. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the electronic PubMed database to identify articles with animal disease models for AMD. Relevant articles were gathered and a database was created that describes the methodology for the animal disease models. Results: A multitude of animal disease models have been created and/or observed for the study of AMD. No ideal animal disease model exists that includes all of the clinical features of AMD. Several animal disease models exist for both exudative and non–exudative AMD. To date, the majority of animal disease models for AMD have been focused on neovascular AMD. Laser photocoagulation has been described extensively to create choroidal neovascularization in monkeys, cats, rabbits, rats, and mice. Transgenic models have been created that alter gene expression, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein–1 (MCP–1). These transgenic models have variable clinical features of AMD including neovascularization, drusen formation, and RPE cell atrophy. Several specific studies have been done for dry AMD, including an observational study of a closed colony of monkeys and the creation of specific trangenic lines. Conclusions: Although animal disease models for AMD have been investigated and improved upon for many years, a perfect model still does not exist that includes all of the complex clinical features of AMD. Despite the lack of an animal disease model that faithfully replicates AMD, the information that they have provided has been priceless. To date, laser photocoagulation and transgenic models continue to be the most useful.

Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • clinical research methodology • choroid: neovascularization