Abstract
Purpose :
Vascular disorders of the retina with choroidal neovascularisations(CNV) are one of the most common causes of blindness. Our hypothesis is that a local or systemic cellular immune response might be a link between vascular proliferation and neuroretinal degeneration. To test this hypothesis we examine the migration of Leukocytes in the fractalkine receptor(CX3CR1) mouse as the receptor is involved in the migration of immune cells.
Methods :
CX3CR1-/-(negative for the fractalkine receptor), CX3CR1-/+(heterozygous for the receptor) and CX3CR1+/+(Wildtype) mice underwent focal retinal laser coagulation on both eyes (n=4 per genotype and point in time). On day 7(d7) and 14(d14) after the treatment a FACS analysis (FlowJo 9.8.5) of the retina and choroid was performed to record the relative quantity of neutrophils, makrophages, t-cells, natural killer cells and natural killer t-cells. The controls are WT mice that weren’t treated. OCT, FAG were performed to evaluate the CNV lesions.
Results :
Relative quantitiy of macrophages: in the retina and choroid of WT higher on d7 and lower on d14. In CX3CR1-/- and -/+ similar results. In the choroid of CX3CR1-/- and -/+ lower on d7 and d14.
Relative quantitiy of neutrophils: In the Retina of WT no significant difference. In CX3CR1-/+ decrease on d14, in CX3CR1-/- increase on d7 and d14. In the Choroid of WT decrease on d7 and d14. In the CX3CR1-/- and -/+ no significant differences.
Relative quantitiy of natural killer cells: increase in all on d7 in the retina. On d14 it remained increased in the WT whereas it decreased in the CX3CR-/- and -/+. Decrease on d7 and d14 in the choroid of all.
Relative quantitiy of t-cells: in the retina and choroid of WT higher on d7 and lower on d14. In the Retina of CX3CR1-/+ no significant difference, but higher in CX3CR1-/- on d7 and d14. In the Choroid of CX3CR1-/- and -/+ lower at both points in time.
Relative quantitiy of natural killer t-cells: no significant difference in the retina of all. Increase at both points in time in the choroid.
Conclusions :
A significant difference in the migration of leukocytes during the development of CNV can be observed in the retina and choroid. The expression of the fractalkine receptor influences the extent of migrating cells. In further experiments we want to examine the migrating cells to gain an approach for therapeutic aims.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.