Animal Model Development Services

Using animal models can allow scientists to simulate human disease conditions in animals, which improves the understanding of disease progression, mechanisms, and therapeutic efficacy. Protheragen focuses on creating tailored animal models for eye research and provides comprehensive services from model creation to validation.

Introduction to Animal Models

Animal models are typically mice, rats, rabbits, or non-human primates that have been genetically modified or altered to reflect human illnesses. With these models, scientists can analyze the pathology of specific diseases, apply theoretical therapeutics, and forecast clinical results before human experiments. Animal models replicate certain features of ophthalmic diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or diabetic retinopathy to assist researchers with understanding the changes and providing therapeutics development as well as monitoring the disease.

Fig.1 Structure of the human ocular surface. (Loiseau A., et al., 2023)

Application of Animal Models in Ophthalmic Diseases

Animal models are important in ophthalmology because they aid in understanding disease pathology and formulating novel therapies for eye disorders. For example, laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rodents assists in assessing anti-VEGF AMD medication, while glaucoma surgery in non-human primates evaluates the effectiveness of medications that lower intraocular pressure. Also, dry eye disease is examined by the use of lacrimal gland excised mice or by the use of spontaneous canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). These preclinical animal studies facilitate the translation of basic science into clinical application, thereby shortening the length of time needed for the development of new therapies.

Table 1. Preclinical models used to establish POC for retinal degeneration. (Shafaie S., et al., 2016)

Our Services

At Protheragen, we have a focus on creating sophisticated animal models for ocular research. We offer full-service ophthalmic disease research support that includes fundamental scientific inquiry and preclinical evaluation.

Types of Animal Models

Surgical Model Development

• Laser-Induced Ocular Hypertension: Mimics glaucoma by damaging the trabecular meshwork in rodents or primates.
• Lacrimal Gland Excision: Induces aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice/rats.
• Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV): Laser photocoagulation in rodents to study AMD therapeutics.

Genetic Engineering Model Development

• VEGF-Overexpressing Transgenic Mice: For testing anti-angiogenic therapies in AMD.
• SOD1 Knockout Mice: Models oxidative stress in dry eye disease.
• Optineurin (E50K) Mutant Mice: Recapitulates glaucoma-associated neurodegeneration.

Humanized Animal Model Development

• Immune-Humanized Mice: Engrafted with human immune cells to study ocular inflammation.
• Xenograft Models: Human retinal tissue transplanted into immunodeficient mice for retinal disease studies.

Animal Model Solutions

Protheragen offers a comprehensive suite of animal model solutions for ophthalmic disease research. We provide a variety of ophthalmic disease models, including models for AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other retinal degenerative diseases.

Types of Ophthalmic Disease Models

• Congenital Ophthalmic Diseases
• Hereditary Ophthalmic Diseases
• Infectious Ophthalmic Diseases
• Autoimmune Ophthalmic Diseases
• Ocular Neoplastic Diseases

Animal Species:

• Mice
• Rats
• Rabbits

• Nonhuman primates
• Pigs
• Zebrafish

Dose Routes

• Topical
• Intrastromal
• Intravitreal
• Intracameral

• Subretinal
• Suprachoroidal
• Subconjunctival
• Subtenon

Eye Tissue Sampling

• Cornea
• Conjunctiva
• Iris
• Lens
• Retina

• RPE/choroid
• Optic nerve
• Aqueous humor
• Vitreous
• Tears

Protheragen is dedicated to advancing ophthalmic research through innovative animal model development and comprehensive support services. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

• Loiseau, Alexis, et al. "Animal models in eye research: focus on corneal pathologies." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.23 (2023): 16661.
• Shah, Mihir, et al. "Translational preclinical pharmacologic disease models for ophthalmic drug development." Pharmaceutical research 36.4 (2019): 58.