Abstract
Purpose :
DBA/2J mouse is established animal model for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. This study aimed to investigate anatomical and functional changes over time in DBA/2J mice and comparing them with a control group.
Methods :
The DBA/2J mouse was used as the experimental group. The DBA/2N mouse, the side strain for the DBA/2J, was set up as a control group. The IOP was measured monthly. Multimodal imaging techniques included microscopic camera-based anterior segment photography to observe the anterior segment, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) for changes in the anterior chamber angle, retinal OCT for observing retinal layer thickness changes, and electroretinography (ERG) for functional changes. Comparison between groups and longitudinal anlaysis up to 12 months of age within groups were examined.
Results :
In comparison with the control group, the DBA/2J mice exhibited elevated IOP from 3 months of age (P = 0.029). Within the DBA/2J mice, a significant increase in IOP was observed from 1 to 3 months (P = 0.009), peaked at 12 months of age, and declined afterwards. In the DBA/2J mice, eccentric pupil with pupillary border thickening, iris synechiae, pigment deposits, and cornea calcification was observed in anterior segment photography. The anterior segment OCT revealed significant narrowing of the anterior chamber angle as well as change in the iris configuration similar to that of pigmentary dispersion syndrome. The retinal OCT measurement showed no significant differences in retinal layer thickness between DBA/2J and DBA/2N mice at all ages, and no age-related differences within the DBA/2J mice. No significant differences were observed in ERG results between the DBA/2J and DBA/2N mice or within the DBA/2J mice over months.
Conclusions :
The comparison of structural and functional characteristics of DBA/2J mice with control group as well as longitudinal analysis within groups were done in this study. IOP elevation limited to 12 months of age and the presence of suggestive inflammatory changes in the anterior segment and iris configuration was remarkable in the DBA/2J mice. The increase in IOP and structural change of anterior segment without affecting the retinal thickness or ERG response could indicate the possibility of further clinical usage of DBA/2J mouse as the animal model for autoimmune anterior uveitis.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.