Predicting wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using DARC (detecting apoptosing retinal cells) AI (artificial intelligence) technology

Abstract

Cordeiro (2020): Predicting wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using DARC (detecting apoptosing retinal cells) AI (artificial intelligence) technology, Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics,

Detecting retinal cell stress and apoptosis with DARC: Progression from lab to clinic

“…In later years, a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on template matching was developed for the fully automated assessment of DARC images (Normando et al, 2020). In addition to offering full automation of counting, the accuracy of this CNN based approach allowed for precise discrimination between stable and progressive or high risk eyes (Corazza et al, 2020;Normando et al, 2020).…”

“…(Schmitz-Valckenberg et al, 2010) In a mouse retinal ischaemic model, histological demonstration of annexin A5 positivity in inner nuclear, outer nuclear and photoreceptor has been demonstrated following intravitreal administration in vivo of Alexa Fluor 488-annexin (Normando et al, 2013a). More recent work has identified that DARC staining in a rabbit model of wet AMD localises to endothelial cells (Corazza et al, 2020).…”

“…When compared to the control eye, all eyes treated with human VEGF had higher DARC counts. The rabbits also underwent fluorescein angiography 4 days after administration of VEGF, which showed increased fluorescein leakage in the treated eyes compared to the control suggesting DARC was identifying the early changes of angiogenesis in the retina (Corazza et al, 2020). It is thought that phosphatidylserine translocation in endothelial cells occurs as part of the early stages of angiogenesis in CNV (Li et al, 2015).…”

“…Annexin 5 DARC labelling has been colocalised to photoreceptors and inner nuclear cells undergoing apoptosis, as discussed in section 5.1.2.3. In neovascular AMD, the externalisation of phosphatidylserine in stressed endothelial cells has been highlighted as the very early sign of angiogenesis (Corazza et al, 2020;Li et al, 2015).…”

“…By labelling exposed PS in endothelium, DARC identifies areas of endothelial cell stress which can predict new vessel formation, leakage and formation of subretinal fluid before it causes permanent visual loss, as described in Corazza et al (Corazza et al, 2020) However, the detection of stress by DARC may result in an effect that is relatively rapid and short-lasting.…”