Abstract
Purpose :
The natural course of murine EAU is well-known and documented in detail by funduscopy, fluoresceine angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). However, those investigations provide limited information about functional changes evoked by the inflammatory processes. In our study we assesed visual acuity in mice during the course of EAU and correlated it to the clinical uveitis scores.
Methods :
EAU was induced in 12 female B10.RIII mice by Inter-Photoreceptor-Binding-Protein (IRBP) in complete Freund's adjuvant, boosted by Pertussis toxin. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity testing (non-invasive using OptoDrum, Tübingen, Germany) as well as clinical scoring (funduscopy, OCT and fluoresceine angiography (6 EAU grades)) were conducted at day 0, 7, 10, 13 and 18. Results were compared and tested for correlation.
Results :
All 12 B10.RIII mice developed severe inflammation with clinical grades 3 to 4 uveitis. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity decreased significantly during the course of EAU compared with baseline. At EAU peak, nearly no visual function was seen in all EAU mice. In the phase of regression visual acuity and contrast sensitivity increased again but did not reach the initial values.
Conclusions :
We demonstrate the correlation of visual function with clinical scores of EAU in mice during the course of disease. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity testing by OptoDrum is reliable and accurate means for visual function evaluation in murine EAU.
We emphasize the importance of functional methodologies in mice especially for translational evaluation of novel therapeutic agents.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.