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Structural and visual functional deficits in a rat model of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders related optic neuritis.
- Source :
-
Experimental Eye Research . Oct2018, Vol. 175, p124-132. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Abstract Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are a group of autoimmune astrocytopathies in the central nervous system, which are mainly caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) against astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In this study, we aimed to establish a model of NMOSD-related optic neuritis (NMOSD-ON) and to evaluate the progressive changes of the optic nerve and visual function. AQP4 IgG-positive serum from NMOSD patients was injected into the subarachnoid space of the rat optic nerve to induce the NMOSD-ON model (AQP4 + group), and healthy serum was injected as the control. The visual evoked potential, pupillary light reflex and optical coherence tomography were monitored every week for 3 weeks after induction. Compared with the control group, the amplitude of the N1-P1 peak and pupillary light reflex in the AQP4+ group were reduced within the first week and then remained low thereafter. Consistent with the functional deficits, the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer in the AQP4 + group was also greatly reduced. At the end of 3 weeks, there was a loss of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerves showed characteristic NMOSD-like pathologic changes, including deposition of AQP4 IgG, local astrocyte damage, demyelination, microglia activation, macrophage infiltration and axonal injury. Thus, we have established an NMOSD-ON rat model with deficits in the optic nerve and visual function that may be a valuable tool for exploring the mechanism of NMOSD-ON and evaluating its potential therapeutic treatment. Highlights • Rat NMOSD-ON model by optic nerve subarachnoid injection with patients' sera. • Pathologic changes of characteristic NMO-like lesions were found. • Longitudinal visual functional and RNFLT observations till 21 days after induction. • Visual function damage coincided with structural alterations of optic nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00144835
- Volume :
- 175
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Experimental Eye Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 132868519
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2018.06.011