In vivo models of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Abstract

We outline current in vitro and in vivo models for experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and provide a detailed protocol of our standardized in vivo PVR model. PVR is the leading cause of failed surgical procedures for the correction of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The pathogenesis of this multifactorial condition is still not completely understood. Experimental models for PVR help us understand the factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease process in a controlled manner and allow for reproducible preclinical assessment of novel therapeutic interventions. We describe a cell injection model in detail that uses homologous retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell cultures to induce PVR over a 2-8 week period.