The chick eye in vision research: An excellent model for the study of ocular disease - PubMed (original) (raw)
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The chick eye in vision research: An excellent model for the study of ocular disease
C Ellis Wisely et al. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2017 Nov.
Abstract
The domestic chicken, Gallus gallus, serves as an excellent model for the study of a wide range of ocular diseases and conditions. The purpose of this manuscript is to outline some anatomic, physiologic, and genetic features of this organism as a robust animal model for vision research, particularly for modeling human retinal disease. Advantages include a sequenced genome, a large eye, relative ease of handling and maintenance, and ready availability. Relevant similarities and differences to humans are highlighted for ocular structures as well as for general physiologic processes. Current research applications for various ocular diseases and conditions, including ocular imaging with spectral domain optical coherence tomography, are discussed. Several genetic and non-genetic ocular disease models are outlined, including for pathologic myopia, keratoconus, glaucoma, retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, ocular albinism, and ocular tumors. Finally, the use of stem cell technology to study the repair of damaged tissues in the chick eye is discussed. Overall, the chick model provides opportunities for high-throughput translational studies to more effectively prevent or treat blinding ocular diseases.
Keywords: Animal model; Chick; Eye; Mutant; Ocular disease; Optical coherence tomography; Stem cell.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Figures
Figure 1
Comparative ocular anatomy of chick and different vertebrate classes (Reprinted from Experimental Eye Research, 123, Fischer, A.J., Bosse, J.L., El-Hodiri, H.M., Reprint of: The ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) in development and regeneration of the vertebrate eye, 115–120., Copyright (2014), with permission from Elsevier. (Fischer et al., 2014a)). Scale bar 2 mm.
Figure 2
Photograph of hemisected chick eye showing the anterior cap as viewed from below the lens. Scale bar 2 mm.
Figure 3
Photograph of posterior portion of hemisected chick eye showing pecten oculi with surrounding retina, choroid, and sclera. Scale bar 2 mm.
Figure 4
SD-OCT imaging of chick anterior segment of the eye. A) Anterior segment scan showing cross-sectional image centered on the dilated pupil (Scale bar 500 µm). There is asymmetric dilation, greater on the left side of the image. B) Open irido-corneal angle in un-dilated chick. Images were obtained with the Envisu SD-OCT system using an anterior imaging lens (Scale bar 100 µm).
Figure 5
Comparative retinal anatomy of mouse vs. chick. A) Schematic of mouse dichromatic retinal photoreceptors. Single cone photoreceptors have either long (LWS) or very short (SWS1) wavelength sensitive opsin. Dual photoreceptors express both pigments. B) Schematic of chick tetrachromatic retinal photoreceptors. Double cone photoreceptors function in the perception of motion. Single cone photoreceptors have either long (LWS), medium (RH2), short (SWS2), or very short (SWS1) wavelength sensitive opsin. Oil droplets with 4 different transmission wavelengths are located at the junction of the photoreceptor inner and outer segment. C) Photomicrograph of healthy C57bl/6 mouse and (D) chick retina show the relative differences in nuclear layer thickness between the two species, with a thicker INL to ONL ratio in chick. Both photomicrographs are shown at 200× magnification and stained with DAPI (blue nuclei) and (LWS/RH2) opsin (green, C and D) and Nomarski (D). Inset (C) and (D) detail of the LWS/RH2 opsin channel in box area. IS = inner segment OS = outer segment, ONL = outer nuclear layer, INL = inner nuclear layer, IPL= inner plexiform layer, GCL = ganglion cell layer, RPE = retinal pigment epithelium. Scale bar 50 µm.
Figure 6
SD-OCT imaging of chick posterior ocular segment. A) SD-OCT En face view centered on pecten oculi. B) Corresponding SD-OCT B-scan showing cross-sectional view of pecten and retinal layers. C) SD-OCT En face view of pecten oculi and area centralis. D) Corresponding cross-sectional SD-OCT area centralis image. E) SD-OCT En face view centered anterior to the pecten oculi at the level of the choroidal vasculature. NFL (Nerve Fiber layer), GCL (Ganglion cell layer), IPL (Inner plexiform layer), INL (Inner nuclear layer), OPL (Outer plexiform layer), ONL (Outer nuclear layer), ELM (External Limiting Membrane), IS/OS (Inner segment/ outer segment junction), RPE (Retinal pigment epithelium complex). Images were obtained with the Envisu system (840nm) with the General Retina bore. Scale bars 100 µm.
Figure 7
A) Photomicrograph of healthy chicken retina stained with toludine blue at 200× magnification. B) Photomicrograph of chicken retina at 200× magnification on day 14 after treatment with colchicine illustrating loss of ganglion cell nuclei. Scale bar 50 µm.
Figure 8
Chemically-induced retinal folds. A) Photomicrograph at 200× magnification of healthy chicken retina and (B) NMDA6 treated retina stained with toludine blue. C) NMDA6 treated eye, En-face and (D, E) cross-sectional SD-OCT images of retinal folds. The B-scans (D, E) correspond to the green line and below in (C). Images were obtained with the Envisu system with the General Retina bore. Scale bar 50 µm for (A), (B), and (C). Scale bar 100 µm for (D) and (E).
Figure 9
Model for form-deprivation myopia. A) Control chick eyes. B) Chick eyes treated with injection of IL-6 followed by goggles obscuring central vision for 7 days showing resulting increase in globe size in treated eyes. Scale bar 5 mm.
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