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Functional recovery after experimental RPE debridement, mfERG studies in a porcine model

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

The correlation between histologically identified regeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and functional outcome measured by multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) following surgical debridement is examined in a porcine model. In humans, visual acuity is reduced in diseases with RPE loss such as RPE tears and geographic atrophy. Hypopigmented RPE is known to cover the lesion after RPE debridement in the pig, but it is unclear whether this leads to a return of photoreceptor function.

Methods

RPE debridement was performed in ten pigs by vitrectomy and retinotomy, and by brushing the Bruch’s membrane with a silicone catheter. Immediately following surgery (baseline) and after 2 and 6 weeks respectively, the animals were examined by mfERG, fundus photographs (FPs), fluorescein angiograms (FAs), and histopathology.

Results

The mfERG P1 amplitude was decreased 2 weeks (T2) after surgery; it returned to baseline 6 weeks (T6) after surgery. FPs, FAs, and histology showed partial repopulation of Bruch’s membrane by hypopigmented RPE cells and atrophied outer segments at T2. At T6, normally pigmented RPE cells were identified, and the photoreceptor layer was restored.

Conclusion

This is the first study to show that the histological regeneration of hypopigmented RPE correlates to a return of the retinal function, measured by mfERG.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Erik Scherfig for expert assistance.

Conflict of interest

None

Financial support

This study was financially supported by The Danish Eye Health Society, The Danish Eye Research Foundation, Kleinsmed Svend Helge Arvid Schroeder og hustru Ketty Lydia Larsen Schroeders Fond, and The John and Birthe Meyer Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nina Buus Sørensen, Morten la Cour & Jens Kiilgaard

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Morten la Cour

  3. Rigshospitalet, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Maria Voss Kyhn & Jens Kiilgaard

  4. Eye Pathology Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nathan Lassota & Jan Ulrik Prause

  5. Department of Biomedical Sciences, CFIM, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Klaus Qvortrup

  6. Øjenafdelingen, Ndr. Ringvej 57, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark

    Nina Buus Sørensen

Authors
  1. Nina Buus Sørensen
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  2. Nathan Lassota
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  3. Maria Voss Kyhn
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  4. Jan Ulrik Prause
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  7. Jens Kiilgaard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nina Buus Sørensen.

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We, the authors have full control of all primary data, and agree to allow Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review data upon request.

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Sørensen, N.B., Lassota, N., Kyhn, M.V. et al. Functional recovery after experimental RPE debridement, mfERG studies in a porcine model. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251, 2319–2325 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2331-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2331-6

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