Biochemistry/Molecular Biology - ARVO

ARVO 2013 Annual Meeting Abstracts by Scientific Section/Group - Biochemistry/Molecular BiologyMicah A. Chrenek, Jana T. Sellers, Stephanie L. Foster, Dustin R.Zuelke, Tiffany L. Liao, John M. Nickerson, Jeffrey H. Boatright.Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.Purpose: We have developed a pigmented mouse model for lightinduced retinal degeneration (LIRD). Transgenic mice are commonlyavailable on the 129sv background and these mice can be used foroptokinetic tracking (OKT). Here we test our hypothesis that it ispossible to light damage retinas in a pigmented strain of mice usinghigh intensity white-light LED boxes and that the retinal damagewould be similar to LIRD in BALB/c albino mice.Methods: Light damage: 129sv and BALB/c mice were obtainedfrom Charles River. 129sv mice were pretreated with 1% atropineeye drops to dilate pupils prior to light exposure. BALB/c mice weretreated with 5-10k lux white light for 4 hours starting at ZT2. 129svmice were treated with 50-70k lux for 4 hours starting at ZT2. OKT:visual acuity in 129sv mice was measured using an OptoMotry OKTsystem 6 days after light damage. ERG: retinal function wasmeasured 7-10 days following light exposure using scotopic ERGs.Histology: eyes were embedded in epon and toluidine blue sectionswere imaged using brightfield microscopy.Results: Exposure to toxic light induces LIRD in 129sv mice. OKTresults showed a dose dependent reduction in visual acuity with 50klux for 4 hours (0.292+/-0.021) significantly (P=0.029) reducingOKT response compared to dim controls (0.446+/-0.081) and nodetectable response with 70k lux (0+/-0) for 4 hours (P