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Review
. 2020 Jun 29;21(13):4627.
doi: 10.3390/ijms21134627.

Experimental Models in Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration

Olivia Rastoin  1 , Gilles Pagès  1   2 , Maeva Dufies  2
Affiliations
Review

Experimental Models in Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration

Olivia Rastoin et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (vAMD), characterized by the neo-vascularization of the retro-foveolar choroid, leads to blindness within few years. This disease depends on angiogenesis mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) and to inflammation. The only available treatments consist of monthly intravitreal injections of antibodies directed against VEGF or VEGF/VEGFB/PlGF decoy receptors. Despite their relative efficacy, these drugs only delay progression to blindness and 30% of the patients are insensitive to these treatments. Hence, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Experimental models of vAMD are essential to screen different innovative therapeutics. The currently used in vitro and in vivo models in ophthalmic translational research and their relevance are discussed in this review.

Keywords: in vitro model of AMD; mice and zebrafish model of AMD; neovascular age related macular degeneration (vAMD); wet AMD.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of the eye with healthy retina, choroid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and effects of age related macular degeneration (AMD): presence of early drusen and neovascularization, disruption of Bruch’s membrane and RPE cells, and vascular leakage. Brusch’s mb = Brusch’s membrane.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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