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Articles 1 - 30 of 64

Full-Text Articles in Ophthalmology

Increased Clusterin Expression In Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Maya Bitar, Ian Rawe, Deshea L. Harris, Kathryn Colby, Nancy C. Joyce Jun 2017

Increased Clusterin Expression In Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Maya Bitar, Ian Rawe, Deshea L. Harris, Kathryn Colby, Nancy C. Joyce

Maya S. Bitar

Purpose: To compare the relative expression of peroxiredoxin (Prx) proteins in normal human corneal endothelium with endothelium in corneas affected by Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and between normal human endothelium and epithelial/stromal tissue. Methods: Human corneal endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complexes from normal and FED corneal buttons were dissected from the epithelium/stroma. For proteomic analysis, HCEC-DM protein extracts were separated by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Relative differences in protein spot density was analyzed. Proteins of interest, including Prx isoforms, were identified by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis compared the relative expression of Prx isoforms …


Decreased Expression Of Peroxiredoxins In Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Ian Rawe, Maya Bitar, Cheng Zhu, Deshea L. Harris, Kathryn Colby, Nancy C. Joyce Jun 2017

Decreased Expression Of Peroxiredoxins In Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Ian Rawe, Maya Bitar, Cheng Zhu, Deshea L. Harris, Kathryn Colby, Nancy C. Joyce

Maya S. Bitar

Purpose: To compare the relative expression of peroxiredoxin (Prx) proteins in normal human corneal endothelium with endothelium in corneas affected by Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and between normal human endothelium and epithelial/stromal tissue. Methods: Human corneal endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complexes from normal and FED corneal buttons were dissected from the epithelium/stroma. For proteomic analysis, HCEC-DM protein extracts were separated by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Relative differences in protein spot density was analyzed. Proteins of interest, including Prx isoforms, were identified by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis compared the relative expression of Prx isoforms …


Colocalization Of Increased Transforming Growth Factor-Β-Induced Protein (Tgfbip) And Clusterin In Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Maya Bitar, Ian Rawe Jun 2017

Colocalization Of Increased Transforming Growth Factor-Β-Induced Protein (Tgfbip) And Clusterin In Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, Ula V. Jurkunas, Maya Bitar, Ian Rawe

Maya S. Bitar

PURPOSE: To investigate the differential expression of TGFBIp in normal human and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complex, and to asses the structural role of TGFBIp and clusterin (CLU) in guttae formation. METHODS: HCEC-DM complex was dissected from stroma in normal and FECD samples. Proteins were separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis and subjected to proteomic analysis. N-terminal processing of TGFBIp was detected by Western blot analysis with two separate antibodies against the N- and C-terminal regions of TGFBIp. Expression of TGFBI mRNA was compared by using real-time PCR. Subcellular localization of TGFBIp and CLU in corneal …


A Rare Association Of Giant Cell Arteritis With Recurrent Corneal Ulcer, Sailaja Bondalapati, Kay Khine, Maya Bitar, David Chesnutt, Richard M. Davis Jun 2017

A Rare Association Of Giant Cell Arteritis With Recurrent Corneal Ulcer, Sailaja Bondalapati, Kay Khine, Maya Bitar, David Chesnutt, Richard M. Davis

Maya S. Bitar

We report a rare case of association of temporal arteritis with recurrent central corneal ulcer. A 91-year-old male with a remote history of clinically diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for corneal edema in 1990’s in the left eye presented with irritation and severe dry eye. He progressively developed central corneal ulcer regardless of treatment with aggressive lubrication and patching. The clinical course, blood tests and temporal artery biopsy results yielded the diagnosis of recurrent GCA. The clinical course improved after starting oral steroids. The case report illustrates the importance of ruling out GCA in patients with …


The Anatomical And Functional Benefit Of Bevacizumab In The Treatment Of Macular Edema Associated With Purtscher-Like Retinopathy, B. Lw. Nesmith, Maya Bitar, S. Schaal Jun 2017

The Anatomical And Functional Benefit Of Bevacizumab In The Treatment Of Macular Edema Associated With Purtscher-Like Retinopathy, B. Lw. Nesmith, Maya Bitar, S. Schaal

Maya S. Bitar

We read the article by Miguel et al1 regarding Purtscher’s and Purtscher-like retinopathies with great interest. As the authors well describe, ‘Purtscher-like retinopathy’ is diagnosed in patients with fundus findings similar to Purtscher’s retinopathy, without a history of trauma but with known systemic associations.1 Current proposed mechanisms for the underlying pathogenesis include leukocyte aggregation by activated complement factor 5 (C5a).2 As noted by the authors’ systematic review, there is currently no established treatment for Purtscher-like retinopathy, although the literature consists of several case reports of treatment with corticosteroids, without certainty as to effect on the clinical course.1 Herein, we report …


Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Improve Transduction Efficiency Of Corneal Endothelial Cells, Anja K. Gruenert, Marta Czugala, Christian Mueller, Marco Schmeer, Martin Schleef, Friedrich E. Kruse, Thomas A. Fuchsluger Nov 2016

Self-Complementary Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Improve Transduction Efficiency Of Corneal Endothelial Cells, Anja K. Gruenert, Marta Czugala, Christian Mueller, Marco Schmeer, Martin Schleef, Friedrich E. Kruse, Thomas A. Fuchsluger

Christian Mueller

Transplantation of a donor cornea to restore vision is the most frequently performed transplantation in the world. Corneal endothelial cells (CEC) are crucial for the outcome of a graft as they maintain corneal transparency and avoid graft failure due to corneal opaqueness. Given the characteristic of being a monolayer and in direct contact with culture medium during cultivation in eye banks, CEC are specifically suitable for gene therapeutic approaches prior to transplantation. Recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2) vectors represent a promising tool for gene therapy of CEC. However, high vector titers are needed to achieve sufficient gene expression. One of …


Raav2/5 Gene-Targeting To Rods: Dose-Dependent Efficiency And Complications Associated With Different Promoters, William Beltran, Sanford L. Boye, Shannon E. Boye, Vince A. Chiodo, Alfred S. Lewin, William W. Hauswirth, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Raav2/5 Gene-Targeting To Rods: Dose-Dependent Efficiency And Complications Associated With Different Promoters, William Beltran, Sanford L. Boye, Shannon E. Boye, Vince A. Chiodo, Alfred S. Lewin, William W. Hauswirth, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

A prerequisite for using corrective gene therapy to treat humans with inherited retinal degenerative diseases that primarily affect rods is to develop viral vectors that target specifically this population of photoreceptors. The delivery of a viral vector with photoreceptor tropism coupled with a rod-specific promoter is likely to be the safest and most efficient approach to target expression of the therapeutic gene to rods. Three promoters that included a fragment of the proximal mouse opsin promoter (mOP), the human G-protein-coupled receptor protein kinase 1 promoter (hGRK1), or the cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer combined with the chicken β actin proximal promoter …


Exonic Sine Insertion In Stk38l Causes Canine Early Retinal Degeneration (Erd), Orly Goldstein, Anna V. Kukekova, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Gregory M. Acland Feb 2016

Exonic Sine Insertion In Stk38l Causes Canine Early Retinal Degeneration (Erd), Orly Goldstein, Anna V. Kukekova, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Gregory M. Acland

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Fine mapping followed by candidate gene analysis of erd — a canine hereditary retinal degeneration characterized by aberrant photoreceptor development — established that the disease cosegregates with a SINE insertion in exon 4 of the canine STK38L/NDR2 gene. The mutation removes exon 4 from STK38L transcripts and is predicted to remove much of the N terminus from the translated protein, including binding sites for S100B and Mob proteins, part of the protein kinase domain, and a Thr-75 residue critical for autophosphorylation. Although known to have roles in neuronal cell function, the STK38L pathway has not previously been implicated in normal …


Photoreceptor Dysplasia: An Inherited Progressive Retinal Atrophy Of Miniature Schnauzer Dogs, Charles J. Parshall, Milton Wyman, Susan Nitroy, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Photoreceptor Dysplasia: An Inherited Progressive Retinal Atrophy Of Miniature Schnauzer Dogs, Charles J. Parshall, Milton Wyman, Susan Nitroy, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

A progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) affecting Miniature Schnauzer dogs is reported. Of the 287 individuals (148 female, 139 male) comprising the study population, 66 (23 percent) were affected (33 female, 33 male) and 221 animals (115 female, 106 male) were phenotypically normal. There was no sex predilection for the disease. Results of histologic and electroretinographic studies indicate that the disease is a new and different type of PRA, characterized by unique morphologic and functional deficits during rod and cone development. Accordingly, the disease has been termed photoreceptor dysplasia. Clinically, and particularly ophthalmoscopically, diagnosis is only practicable in very late stages …


Drug Delivery To Posterior Intraocular Tissues: Third Annual Arvo/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference, Henry F. Edelhauser, Jeffrey H. Boatright, John M. Nickerson, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Drug Delivery To Posterior Intraocular Tissues: Third Annual Arvo/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference, Henry F. Edelhauser, Jeffrey H. Boatright, John M. Nickerson, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

The third Annual ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmic Research Institute Conference was held Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, 2007 at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The conference, funded by the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research through a grant from Pfizer Ophthalmics, provided an opportunity to gather experts from within and outside ophthalmology to develop strategies to address drug delivery to posterior intraocular tissues—a topic of great interest, as the major route of drug delivery is via intravitreous injection.


Identification Of Genetic Variation And Haplotype Structure Of The Canine Abca4 Gene For Retinal Disease Association Studies, Barbara Zangerl, Sarah J. Lindauer, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Identification Of Genetic Variation And Haplotype Structure Of The Canine Abca4 Gene For Retinal Disease Association Studies, Barbara Zangerl, Sarah J. Lindauer, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Over 200 mutations in the retina specific member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily (ABCA4) have been associated with a diverse group of human retinal diseases. The disease mechanisms, and genotype–phenotype associations, nonetheless, remain elusive in many cases. As orthologous genes are commonly mutated in canine models of human blinding disorders, canine ABCA4 appears to be an ideal candidate gene to identify and study sequence changes in dogs affected by various forms of inherited retinal degeneration. However, the size of the gene and lack of haplotype assignment significantly limit targeted association and/or linkage approaches. This study assessed the naturally observed …


Modeling The Structural Consequences Of Best1 Missense Mutations, Karina E. Guziewicz, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Barbara Zangerl Feb 2016

Modeling The Structural Consequences Of Best1 Missense Mutations, Karina E. Guziewicz, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Barbara Zangerl

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Mutations in the bestrophin-1 gene (BEST1) are an important cause of inherited retinal disorders. Hitherto, over 100 unique allelic variants have been linked to the human BEST1 (hBEST1), and associated with disease phenotypes, broadly termed as bestrophinopathies. A spontaneous animal model recapitulating BEST1-related phenotypes, canine multifocal retinopathy (cmr), is caused by mutations in the canine gene ortholog (cBEST1). We have recently characterized molecular consequences of cmr, demonstrating defective protein trafficking as a result of G161D (cmr2) mutation. To further investigate the pathological effects of BEST1 missense mutations, canine and human peptide fragments derived from the protein sequence have been studied …


Posterior Lenticonus In The Dog, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Stephen I. Bistner Feb 2016

Posterior Lenticonus In The Dog, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Stephen I. Bistner

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Posterior lenticonus is a congenital defect of the posterior lenticular surface. The posterior cortical and capsular regions of the lens have a circumscribed conelike or globular protrusion of variable size. Opacities may be present in the region of the conus. The defect has been reported in man, rabbits, calves and mice. This report documents 2 cases in unrelated dogs. The possible mechanism for the formation of this defect is discussed.


Posterior Segment Approach For Subretinal Transplantation Or Injection In The Canine Model, Maria E. Verdugo, Julie Alling, Eliot Lazar, Manuel Del Cerro, Jharna Ray, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Posterior Segment Approach For Subretinal Transplantation Or Injection In The Canine Model, Maria E. Verdugo, Julie Alling, Eliot Lazar, Manuel Del Cerro, Jharna Ray, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

A posterior segment approach for cell transplantation or injection into the subretinal space of the dog has been developed. Controlled penetration to the subretinal space was achieved using a 29-gauge injection cannula, either blunted or with a 30° sharpened bevel, and partially ensheathed with moveable plastic tubing. Depending on the injection volume used, the retina detached, and the fluid was reabsorbed within 1–3 weeks, although for smaller volumes the retina reattached within a matter of days. The optimal injection volume used was between 100 and 150 μl, or two injections of 55 μl each. By ophthalmoscopy following the surgery, it …


Photoreceptor Cell Death, Proliferation And Formation Of Hybrid Rod/S-Cone Photoreceptors In The Degenerating Stk38l Mutant Retina, Ágnes I. Berta, Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia, Sem Genini, Orly Goldstein, Paul J. O'Brien, Ágoston Szél, Gregory M. Acland, William Beltran, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Photoreceptor Cell Death, Proliferation And Formation Of Hybrid Rod/S-Cone Photoreceptors In The Degenerating Stk38l Mutant Retina, Ágnes I. Berta, Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia, Sem Genini, Orly Goldstein, Paul J. O'Brien, Ágoston Szél, Gregory M. Acland, William Beltran, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

A homozygous mutation in STK38L in dogs impairs the late phase of photoreceptor development, and is followed by photoreceptor cell death (TUNEL) and proliferation (PCNA, PHH3) events that occur independently in different cells between 7–14 weeks of age. During this period, the outer nuclear layer (ONL) cell number is unchanged. The dividing cells are of photoreceptor origin, have rod opsin labeling, and do not label with markers specific for macrophages/microglia (CD18) or Müller cells (glutamine synthetase, PAX6). Nestin labeling is absent from the ONL although it labels the peripheral retina and ciliary marginal zone equally in normals and mutants. Cell …


The Briard Problem, Ronald C. Riis, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

The Briard Problem, Ronald C. Riis, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

The Briard breed has stimulated some ophthalmic interest in Canada, Europe, and the United States. Ophthalmoscopic changes similar to central progressive retinal atrophy have been diagnosed. This report adds further insight into the type of retinal degeneration and questions the associated physical findings as they may relate to the retinal disease.


Targeting Gene Expression To Cones With Human Cone Opsin Promoters In Recombinant Aav, András M. Komáromy, John J. Alexander, Anne E. Cooper, Vince A. Chodo, Gregory M. Acland, William W. Hauswirth, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Targeting Gene Expression To Cones With Human Cone Opsin Promoters In Recombinant Aav, András M. Komáromy, John J. Alexander, Anne E. Cooper, Vince A. Chodo, Gregory M. Acland, William W. Hauswirth, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Specific cone-directed therapy is of high priority in the treatment of human hereditary retinal diseases. However, not much information exists about the specific targeting of photoreceptor subclasses. Three versions of the human red cone opsin promoter (PR0.5, 3LCR-PR0.5 and PR2.1), and the human blue cone opsin promoter HB569, were evaluated for their specificity and robustness in targeting green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene expression to subclasses of cones in the canine retina when used in recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors of serotype 5. The vectors were administered by subretinal injection. The promoter PR2.1 led to most effective and specific expression of GFP …


Identical Mutation In A Novel Retinal Gene Causes Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration In Dogs And Retinitis Pigmentosa In Humans, Barbara Zangerl, Orly Goldstein, Alisdair R. Philip, Sarah J. P Lindauer, Susan E. Pearce-Kelling, Roberts F. Mullins, Alexander S. Graphodatsky, Daniel Ripoll, Jeanette S. Felix, Edwin M. Stone, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Identical Mutation In A Novel Retinal Gene Causes Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration In Dogs And Retinitis Pigmentosa In Humans, Barbara Zangerl, Orly Goldstein, Alisdair R. Philip, Sarah J. P Lindauer, Susan E. Pearce-Kelling, Roberts F. Mullins, Alexander S. Graphodatsky, Daniel Ripoll, Jeanette S. Felix, Edwin M. Stone, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Progressive rod–cone degeneration (prcd) is a late-onset, autosomal recessive photoreceptor degeneration of dogs and a homolog for some forms of human retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Previously, the disease-relevant interval was reduced to a 106-kb region on CFA9, and a common phenotype-specific haplotype was identified in all affected dogs from several different breeds and breed varieties. Screening of a canine retinal EST library identified partial cDNAs for novel candidate genes in the disease-relevant interval. The complete cDNA of one of these, PRCD, was cloned in dog, human, and mouse. The gene codes for a 54-amino-acid (aa) protein in dog and human and …


Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration In The Dog: Clinical And Morphologic Characterization Of The "Silent Retina" Syndrome, Gregory M. Acland, Nita L. Irby, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Stephen L. Gross, Susan F. Nitroy, Kathleen L. Notarfrancesco Feb 2016

Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration In The Dog: Clinical And Morphologic Characterization Of The "Silent Retina" Syndrome, Gregory M. Acland, Nita L. Irby, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Stephen L. Gross, Susan F. Nitroy, Kathleen L. Notarfrancesco

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Adult dogs occasionally become suddenly, totally and permanently blind. If examined soon after the onset of blindness, the dogs show no ophthalmologic evidence of disease sufficient to account for their problem and are usually in otherwise good health. The hallmark of this sudden, acquired retinal degeneration (SARD), that establishes it as a retinopathy, and distinguishes it from neurological disease, is the extinguished electroretinogram. The syndrome has been termed "Silent Retina Syndrome" and "Metabolic Toxic Retinopathy". Although uncommon, SARD has been diagnosed with increased frequency in recent years. Little retinal tissue has, however, become available for histopathologic characterization of the disease. …


Canine Retina Has A Primate Fovea-Like Bouquet Of Cone Photoreceptors Which Is Affected By Inherited Macular Degenerations, William Beltran, Artur V. Cideciyan, Karina E. Guziewicz, Simone Iwabe, Erin M. Scott, Svetlana V. Savina, Gordon Ruthel, Frank Stefano, Lingli Zhang, Richard Zorger, Alexander Sumaroka, Samuel G. Jacobson, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Canine Retina Has A Primate Fovea-Like Bouquet Of Cone Photoreceptors Which Is Affected By Inherited Macular Degenerations, William Beltran, Artur V. Cideciyan, Karina E. Guziewicz, Simone Iwabe, Erin M. Scott, Svetlana V. Savina, Gordon Ruthel, Frank Stefano, Lingli Zhang, Richard Zorger, Alexander Sumaroka, Samuel G. Jacobson, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Retinal areas of specialization confer vertebrates with the ability to scrutinize corresponding regions of their visual field with greater resolution. A highly specialized area found in haplorhine primates (including humans) is the fovea centralis which is defined by a high density of cone photoreceptors connected individually to interneurons, and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that are offset to form a pit lacking retinal capillaries and inner retinal neurons at its center. In dogs, a local increase in RGC density is found in a topographically comparable retinal area defined as the area centralis. While the canine retina is devoid of a foveal …


Canine Rd3 Mutation Establishes Rod-Cone Dysplasia Type 2 (Rcd2) As Ortholog Of Human And Murine Rd3, Anna V. Kukekova, Orly Goldstein, Jennifer L. Johnson, Malcolm A. Richardson, Susan E. Pearce-Kelling, Anand Swaroop, James S. Friedman, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Gregory M. Acland Feb 2016

Canine Rd3 Mutation Establishes Rod-Cone Dysplasia Type 2 (Rcd2) As Ortholog Of Human And Murine Rd3, Anna V. Kukekova, Orly Goldstein, Jennifer L. Johnson, Malcolm A. Richardson, Susan E. Pearce-Kelling, Anand Swaroop, James S. Friedman, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Gregory M. Acland

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Rod-cone dysplasia type 2 (rcd2) is an autosomal recessive disorder that segregates in collie dogs. Linkage disequilibrium and meiotic linkage mapping were combined to take advantage of population structure within this breed and to fine map rcd2 to a 230-kb candidate region that included the gene C1orf36 responsible for human and murine rd3, and within which all affected dogs were homozygous for one haplotype. In one of three identified canine retinal RD3 splice variants, an insertion was found that cosegregates with rcd2 and is predicted to alter the last 61 codons of the normal open reading frame and further extend …


Comparative Genomic Mapping Of Uncharacterized Canine Retinal Ests To Identify Novel Candidate Genes For Hereditary Retinal Disorders, Barbara Zangerl, Jennifer L. Johnson, Jarek Pillardy, Qi Sun, Catherine André, Francis Galibert, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Comparative Genomic Mapping Of Uncharacterized Canine Retinal Ests To Identify Novel Candidate Genes For Hereditary Retinal Disorders, Barbara Zangerl, Jennifer L. Johnson, Jarek Pillardy, Qi Sun, Catherine André, Francis Galibert, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

Purpose: To identify the genomic location of previously uncharacterized canine retina-expressed expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and thus identify potential candidate genes for heritable retinal disorders. Methods: A set of over 500 retinal canine ESTs were mapped onto the canine genome using the RHDF5000–2 radiation hybrid (RH) panel, and the resulting map positions were compared to their respective localization in the CanFam2 assembly of the canine genome sequence. Results: Unique map positions could be assigned for 99% of the mapped clones, of which only 29% showed significant homology to known RefSeq sequences. A comparison between RH map and sequence assembly indicated …


Clinical Light Exposure, Photoreceptor Degeneration, And Ap-1 Activation: A Cell Death Or Cell Survival Signal In The Rhodopsin Mutant Retina?, Danian Gu, William Beltran, Zexiao Li, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Clinical Light Exposure, Photoreceptor Degeneration, And Ap-1 Activation: A Cell Death Or Cell Survival Signal In The Rhodopsin Mutant Retina?, Danian Gu, William Beltran, Zexiao Li, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

PURPOSE. The T4R RHO mutant dog retina shows retinal degeneration with exposures to light comparable to those used in clinical eye examinations of patients. To define the molecular mechanisms of the degeneration, AP-1 DNA-binding activity, composition, posttranslational modification of the protein complex, and modulation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathways were examined in light-exposed mutant retinas. METHODS. Dark-adapted retinas were exposed to short-duration light flashes from a retinal camera used clinically for retinal photography and were collected at different time points after exposure. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), supershift EMSA, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry were used to examine AP-1 signaling. RESULTS. …


Bestrophin Gene Mutations Cause Canine Multifocal Retinopathy: A Novel Animal Model For Best Disease, Karina E. Guziewicz, Barbara Zangerl, Sarah J. Lindauer, Robert F. Mullins, Lynne S. Sandmeyer, Bruce H. Grahn, Edwin M. Stone, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Bestrophin Gene Mutations Cause Canine Multifocal Retinopathy: A Novel Animal Model For Best Disease, Karina E. Guziewicz, Barbara Zangerl, Sarah J. Lindauer, Robert F. Mullins, Lynne S. Sandmeyer, Bruce H. Grahn, Edwin M. Stone, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

PURPOSE. Canine multifocal retinopathy (cmr) is an autosomal recessive disorder of multiple dog breeds. The disease shares a number of clinical and pathologic similarities with Best macular dystrophy (BMD), and cmr is proposed as a new large animal model for Best disease. METHODS. cmr was characterized by ophthalmoscopy and histopathology and compared with BMD-affected patients. BEST1 (alias VMD2), the bestrophin gene causally associated with BMD, was evaluated in the dog. Canine ortholog cDNA sequence was cloned and verified using RPE/choroid 5′- and 3′-RACE. Expression of the canine gene transcripts and protein was analyzed by Northern and Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. …


Cloning And Characterization Of The Canine Photoreceptor Specific Cone-Rod Homeobox (Crx) Gene And Evaluation As A Candidate For Early Onset Photoreceptor Diseases In The Dog, Novrouz B. Akhmedov, Victoria Baldwin, Barbara Zangerl, James K. Kijas, Linda S. Hunter, Katayoun D. Minoofar, Cathryn Mellersh, Elaine A. Ostrander, Gregory M. Acland, Debora B. Farber, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Cloning And Characterization Of The Canine Photoreceptor Specific Cone-Rod Homeobox (Crx) Gene And Evaluation As A Candidate For Early Onset Photoreceptor Diseases In The Dog, Novrouz B. Akhmedov, Victoria Baldwin, Barbara Zangerl, James K. Kijas, Linda S. Hunter, Katayoun D. Minoofar, Cathryn Mellersh, Elaine A. Ostrander, Gregory M. Acland, Debora B. Farber, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

PURPOSE: The cone-rod homeobox protein (CRX) is a member of the homeodomain-containing protein family expressed in the retinal photoreceptors and pinealocytes; it is involved in the regulation of the coordinate expression of multiple photoreceptor specific genes during retinal development. Mutations in the CRX gene are causally associated with retinal degeneration phenotypes in man. To clone the full length cDNA, characterize the genomic organization of canine CRX, map the gene in a radiation hybrid (RH) panel, and evaluate it as a candidate for canine inherited retinal degenerations. METHODS: cDNA representational difference analysis (RDA) was done using normal and cone degeneration (cd) …


Cloning And Characterization Of The Cdna Encoding The Α-Subunit Of Cgmp-Phosphodiesterase In Canine Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells, Weiquan Wang, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Kunal Ray Feb 2016

Cloning And Characterization Of The Cdna Encoding The Α-Subunit Of Cgmp-Phosphodiesterase In Canine Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells, Weiquan Wang, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Kunal Ray

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

No abstract provided.


An Electrophysiologic Approach For Early Diagnosis Of Progressive Retinal Atrophy In The Norwegian Elkhound, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Lionel F. Rubin Feb 2016

An Electrophysiologic Approach For Early Diagnosis Of Progressive Retinal Atrophy In The Norwegian Elkhound, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Lionel F. Rubin

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

No abstract provided.


Criteria For Development Of Animal Models Of Diseases Of The Eye, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Criteria For Development Of Animal Models Of Diseases Of The Eye, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

No abstract provided.


Application Of A New Subretinal Injection Device In The Dog, András M. Komáromy, Signe E. Varner, Eugene De Juan, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Application Of A New Subretinal Injection Device In The Dog, András M. Komáromy, Signe E. Varner, Eugene De Juan, Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

The use of a new subretinal injection device (RetinaJect™ Subretinal Cannula, SurModics, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN) to access the subretinal space in the canine model was evaluated. Subretinal injections were performed in 33 mongrel dogs between 2 and 52 months of age (median = 9 months). In 5 normal dogs the injection of 150 μl saline or India ink occurred by using a conventional subretinal injection device (CSID) with a 30-gauge anterior chamber irrigating cannula. The sclera had to be surgically exposed and penetrated before the subretinal injection with the CSID could occur. After removing the CSID, the conjunctiva over …


Development And Validation Of A Canine-Specific Profiling Array To Examine Expression Of Pro-Apoptotic And Pro-Survival Genes In Retinal Degenerative Diseases, Sem Genini, William Beltran, Gustavo D. Aguirre Feb 2016

Development And Validation Of A Canine-Specific Profiling Array To Examine Expression Of Pro-Apoptotic And Pro-Survival Genes In Retinal Degenerative Diseases, Sem Genini, William Beltran, Gustavo D. Aguirre

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD

We developed an expression profiling array to examine pro-apoptotic and pro-survival genes in dog retinal degeneration models. Gene-specific canine TaqMan assays were developed and included in a custom real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) array. Of the 96 selected genes, 93 belonged to known relevant pro-apoptotic and pro-survival pathways, and/or were positive controls expressed in retina, while three were housekeeping genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that the selected genes belonged to expected biological functions (cell death, cell-mediated immune response, cellular development, function, and maintenance) and pathways (death receptor signaling, apoptosis, TNFR1 signaling, and induction of apoptosis by HIV1). Validation of …