Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal

Current Eye Research

DOI

10.1080/02713683.2024.2397028

PMID

39290166

PMCID

PMC11666409

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-1-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Purpose: Microcystoid macular degeneration (MMD) is a condition where cystoid vacuoles develop within the inner nuclear layer of the retina in humans in a variety of disorders. Here we report the occurrence of MMD in non-human primates (NHPs) with various retinal ganglion cell (RGC) pathologies and evaluate the hypothesis that MMD does not precede RGC loss but follows it.

Methods: Morphological studies were performed of the retinas of NHPs, specifically both rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), in which MMD was identified after induction of experimental glaucoma (EG), hemiretinal endodiathermy axotomy (HEA), and spontaneous idiopathic bilateral optic atrophy. In vivo imaging analyses included fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), light microscopy, and electron microscopy.

Results: MMD, like that seen on OCT scans of humans, was found in both rhesus and cynomolgus macaques with EG. Of 13 cynomolgus macaques with chronic EG imaged once with OCT six of 13 animals were noted to have MMD. MMD was also evident in a cynomolgus macaque with bilateral optic atrophy. Following HEA, MMD did not develop until at least 2 weeks following the RNFL loss.

Conclusion: These data suggest that MMD may be caused by a retrograde trans-synaptic process related to RGC loss. MMD is not associated with inflammation, nor would it be an independent indicator of drug toxicity per se in pre-clinical regulatory studies. Because of its inconsistent appearance and late development, MMD has limited use as a clinical biomarker.

Keywords

Animals, Macaca fascicularis, Tomography, Optical Coherence, Macaca mulatta, Retinal Ganglion Cells, Fluorescein Angiography, Macular Degeneration, Disease Models, Animal, Ophthalmoscopy, Glaucoma, Axotomy, Time Factors, Optic Atrophy, Retina, Vacuoles, Male, microcystic macular degeneration, experimental glaucoma, endodiathermy axotomy, optic atrophy, inner nuclear layer, nerve fiber layer

Published Open-Access

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