Intravitreal and Subretinal Proliferation Induced by Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Rabbits

Abstract

We developed an experimental model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in albino rabbits by combining some factors suspected of causing the disease. Sixty nine eyes divided into six groups served as controls (Groups C 1-6). Forty nine eyes were divided into four experimental groups (Groups E 1-4). Group E1 (n = 12) was injected with 0.15 ml of platelet-rich plasma. In addition, Groups E2 (n = 12) and E3 (n = 12) underwent cryotherapy or vitrectomy. Group E4 (n = 13) underwent both procedures. Seven of the 13 Group 4 experimental eyes developed total retinal detachment and giant holes. None of the other groups developed more than two total retinal detachments or giant holes (P < 0.05). Light and electron microscopy showed intravitreal or preretinal proliferation composed of fibroblast-like cells. Retroretinal membranes appeared only in Group E4 eyes, composed of elongated cells with oval nuclei and abundant organelles in the cytoplasm. We believe these lesions mimic human PVR more closely than other models previously developed.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy: A new concept of disease pathogenesis and practical consequences

“…In 1992, the hypertrophy of Müller cells was detected by our group in a rabbit model of PVR (Pinon et al, 1992). However, we were not able to recognize the importance of this finding, probably because we were under the influence of the pathogenesis ideas of the original description of PVR.…”

“…Both strategies of retinopexy induce a pro-inflammatory environment that could explain the high risk as shown in experimental models Goldaracena et al, 1997;Pinon et al, 1992). Indeed, in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial performed to determine if prolonged administration of systemic corticosteroids would attenuate early stages of PVR, the application of transcleral cryocoagulation was associated with more cases developing epiretinal membranes in the placebo than the steroid group (Koerner et al, 2012).…”

Animal Models of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy and Their Use in Pharmaceutical Investigations

“…However, these models are flawed because they introduce large numbers of cells. Moreover, they do not take into account the early crucial steps in PVR development, including cellular transformation and proliferation [53, 89, 90]. If the inhibitory effects of any drugs are tested, injected drugs may affect not only the development of PVR but also the injected cells themselves directly.…”

Inflammation Measurement and Immunocharacterization of Cell Proliferation in an Experimental Model of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

“…However, previous models using auto-or homologous platelets [14] only lead to moderate vitreous strands, without retinal detachment, unless associated with large traumatism [15], vitrectomy, lensectomy or cryotherapy [16]. Kono et al [17] showed the development of epiretinal membranes in albino rabbits following injections of autologous white blood into the vitreous cavity.…”