CNV Model
The laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model is an established method used to evaluate therapies for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), a leading cause of blindness in our senior population. Study design is flexible, factoring in the nature of the compound and its intended clinical regimen. Species selection may be based on compound activity, delivery method and/or phase of development.
Fluorescein angiography (FA) images are graded semi-quantitatively, and the amount of leakage is compared between control and treated eyes. As a second-tier evaluation, leakage area, normalized to fluorescent intensity, may be determined with image analysis software. In vivo FA is advantageous due to the potential for sequential evaluations over several weeks.
Postmortem evaluations such as immunohistochemical staining of choroidal flat mounts with isolectin B4 can also be performed; however, they represent a single time point.
Additional Optional Evaluations
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- PCR on ocular tissues to evaluate up/down gene regulation
- Immunohistochemistry on ocular sections
- Ocular tissue distribution
Additional Optional Safety Parameters
- Tonometry (intraocular pressure)
- Electroretinograms
- Histopathology
- Other standard toxicology endpoints
Percentage of Large Animal Eyes that Exhibited at Least One Grade 4 Lesion
Percentage of Eyes Exhibiting at Least One Clinically Relevant Lesion in Long-Evans and Brown Norway Rats: Saline vs. Rat-Specific Anti-VEGF Antibody (ARVA)