Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science current issue

[Clinical Trials] Quantification of Metamorphopsia in Patients with Macular Hole

Kroyer, K., Christensen, U., Larsen, M., la Cour, M. — 2008-09-02

This study provides new insight to metamorphopsia in macular hole: Psychophysical testing suggests that metamorphopsia extends beyond the area of the hole itself.

[Anatomy and Pathology] Peripheral Refraction in Normal Infant Rhesus Monkeys

Hung, L.-F., Ramamirtham, R., Huang, J., Qiao-Grider, Y., Smith, E. L. — 2008-09-02

This study, which provides longitudinal data on peripheral refractions in infant primates, demonstrates that emmetropization occurs for both central and peripheral refractive errors.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Transcriptional Regulation of the Human {alpha}6 Integrin Gene by the Transcription Factor NFI during Corneal Wound Healing

2008-09-02

This study demonstrates the laminin-regulated repression of the human 6 integrin subunit gene by the transcription factor NFI in corneal epithelial cells.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] A Genome-wide Scan Maps a Novel High Myopia Locus to 5p15

2008-09-02

This paper describes a high myopia locus mapped on chromosome 5p15.33-p15.2.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] On the Lipid Composition of Human Meibum and Tears: Comparative Analysis of Nonpolar Lipids

Butovich, I. A. — 2008-09-02

Similarities and differences between meibomian gland secretions and aqueous tears have been studied by high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and discussed in the paper.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Trefoil Factor TFF1-Induced Protection of Conjunctival Cells from Apoptosis at Premitochondrial and Postmitochondrial Levels

2008-09-02

TFF1 (Trefoil factor 1), a small protease-resistant peptide whose secretion by goblet cells of the conjunctival epithelium increases in inflammatory conditions, is demonstrated to protect conjunctival cells from apoptosis induced by UV irradiation and benzalkonium chloride. TFF1 and related peptides deserve to be tested as protective agents in ocular surface disorders.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Allelic Copy Number Variation in FSCN2 Detected Using Allele-Specific Genotyping and Multiplex Real-Time PCRs

2008-09-02

Among the four patients and three healthy individuals carrying a c.72delG mutation in FSCN2 gene, a severely affected RP patient was demonstrated to have a 4:1 (wild-type/mutant) pattern of allelic copy number variation.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] ATM Gene Variants in Patients with Idiopathic Perifoveal Telangiectasia

2008-09-02

This article describes a significant association of variants in the ATM gene with idiopathic perifoveal telangiectasia (now called macular telangiectasia).

[Erratum] ERRATUM

2008-09-02

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Duplication and Divergence of Zebrafish CRALBP Genes Uncovers Novel Role for RPE- and Muller-CRALBP in Cone Vision

2008-09-02

Duplicate zebrafish CRALBP genes, which are expressed in RPE cells and Mu"ller cells, respectively, offer a unique opportunity to examine the roles of CRALBP in each cell type; and are both found to contribute to the cone visual cycle.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Accelerated Accumulation of Lipofuscin Pigments in the RPE of a Mouse Model for ABCA4-Mediated Retinal Dystrophies following Vitamin A Supplementation

2008-09-02

This study examines the effects of vitamin A supplementation in an animal model for Stargardt macular degeneration, recessive cone-rod dystrophy, and recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Moderate vitamin A supplementation significantly accelerated accumulation of toxic lipofuscin pigments in abca4 mutant mice, suggesting that vitamin A should be prescribed cautiously in patients with maculopathies or retinopathies due to mutations in this gene.

[Biochemistry and Molecular Biology] Decreased Levels of the RNA Splicing Factor Prpf3 in Mice and Zebrafish Do Not Cause Photoreceptor Degeneration

Graziotto, J. J., Inglehearn, C. F., Pack, M. A., Pierce, E. A. — 2008-09-02

The models described in this paper suggest that RP18 is not a result of haploinsufficiency, but instead arises from a toxic gain of function due to missense mutations in PRPF3.

[Clinical and Epidemiologic Research] Heritability of the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy: The FIND-Eye Study

2008-09-02

This paper confirms that the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) parallels the presence and severity of nephropathy in individuals with diabetes mellitus and that the severity of DR appears to be under significant familial influence control in members of multiplex diabetic families.

[Clinical and Epidemiologic Research] The Prevalence and Types of Glaucoma in Malay People: The Singapore Malay Eye Study

2008-09-02

The prevalence of glaucoma among Malay persons 40 years and older in Singapore is 3.4%, with primary open-angle glaucoma the main form of glaucoma in this population.

[Clinical and Epidemiologic Research] Cornea Biomechanical Characteristics and Their Correlates with Refractive Error in Singaporean Children

2008-09-02

This study assesses the possible relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and refractive error.

[Clinical and Epidemiologic Research] Myopia and the Urban Environment: Findings in a Sample of 12-Year-Old Australian School Children

Ip, J. M., Rose, K. A., Morgan, I. G., Burlutsky, G., Mitchell, P. — 2008-09-02

This study, using a novel approach to examining the well-described city-rural differences in myopia, provides data on the topic of childhood myopia and associations with the urban environment.

[Clinical and Epidemiologic Research] Oral Supplementation of Lutein/Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Persons Aged 60 Years or Older, with or without AMD

2008-09-02

This study shows that the combination of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation did not affect the serum levels of lutein/zeaxanthin in persons with or without age-related macular degeneration.

[Cornea] Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Mediates Corneal Nerve Repair

Yu, C. Q., Zhang, M., Matis, K. I., Kim, C., Rosenblatt, M. I. — 2008-09-02

This study provides evidence that VEGF plays a role in mediating corneal nerve regeneration following injury in addition to its known role as an angiogenic factor.

[Cornea] Characterization and Comparison of Intercellular Adherent Junctions Expressed by Human Corneal Endothelial Cells In Vivo and In Vitro

Zhu, Y.-T., Hayashida, Y., Kheirkhah, A., He, H., Chen, S.-Y., Tseng, S. C. G. — 2008-09-02

Restoration of the in vivo cytolocalization pattern of various intercellular adherent junction components correlates with the mitotic decline of human corneal endothelial proliferation in vitro.

[Cornea] Tissue-Engineered Recombinant Human Collagen-Based Corneal Substitutes for Implantation: Performance of Type I versus Type III Collagen

2008-09-02

The authors implanted biomimetic corneal implants from human recombinant human collagen types I and III into pigs, and report that both are comparable in promoting regeneration of corneal cells and nerves.

[Cornea] Innervation of Tissue-Engineered Recombinant Human Collagen-Based Corneal Substitutes: A Comparative In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study

Lagali, N., Griffith, M., Fagerholm, P., Merrett, K., Huynh, M., Munger, R. — 2008-09-02

In this paper, new-generation biosynthetic cornea substitutes free of animal-derived components are shown to provide a favorable environment for host nerve regeneration in vivo in pigs, with nerve in-growth comparable to levels found in porcine allografts one year postimplantation.

[Cornea] A Rapid Separation of Two Distinct Populations of Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cells with Limbal Stem Cell Characteristics by Centrifugation on Percoll Gradient

2008-09-02

This paper describes isolation and harvest of mouse limbal stem cells and shows two distinct populations of limbal stem cells separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation.

[Cornea] Differential Suppression of Vascular Permeability and Corneal Angiogenesis by Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Pakneshan, P., Birsner, A. E., Adini, I., Becker, C. M., D'Amato, R. J. — 2008-09-02

This paper examines the effect of NSAIDs on ocular neovascularization and permeability and shows that while most NSAIDS are effective in suppressing vascular leak, there exists a differential efficacy at suppressing the angiogenic response of specific cytokines such as bFGF or VEGF.

[Cornea] Fine Structure of the Interface between the Anterior Limiting Lamina and the Anterior Stromal Fibrils of the Human Cornea

Mathew, J. H., Bergmanson, J. P. G., Doughty, M. J. — 2008-09-02

The interface between the corneal anterior limiting lamina and stroma was detailed ultrastructurally and revealed that the two tissues overlapped minimally and that anterior lamellae terminated in central cornea without bridging limbus to limbus.

[Cornea] A Viscoelastic Biomechanical Model of the Cornea Describing the Effect of Viscosity and Elasticity on Hysteresis

Glass, D. H., Roberts, C. J., Litsky, A. S., Weber, P. A. — 2008-09-02

This paper proposes a model that separates corneal hysteresis into its elastic and viscous components.

[Eye Movements, Strabismus, Amblyopia, and Neuro-Ophthalmology] The Effect of Acute Superior Oblique Palsy on Vertical Pursuit in Monkeys

Tian, J., Shan, X., Ying, H. S., Walker, M. F., Tamargo, R. J., Zee, D. S. — 2008-09-02

Rhesus monkeys with acute acquired SOP show characteristic changes in vertical pursuit with deficits for both upward and downward tracking, which will help provide a frame of reference for interpreting the ocular motor deficits in human patients with vertical strabismus.

[Eye Movements, Strabismus, Amblyopia, and Neuro-Ophthalmology] Initiation and Stability of Pursuit Eye Movements in Simulated Retinal Prosthesis at Different Implant Locations

Wang, L., Yang, L., Dagnelie, G. — 2008-09-02

This study investigated oculomotor functions in simulated prosthetic vision.

[Eye Movements, Strabismus, Amblyopia, and Neuro-Ophthalmology] Temporal Instability in Amblyopic Vision: Relationship to a Displacement Map of Visual Space

Sireteanu, R., Baumer, C. C., Iftime, A. — 2008-09-02

Temporal instability of the visual percept in amblyopic eyes is related to an increased uncertainty in the perception of spatial location.

[Glaucoma] Lovastatin Inhibits TGF-{beta}-Induced Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation in Human Tenon Fibroblasts

Meyer-ter-Vehn, T., Katzenberger, B., Han, H., Grehn, F., Schlunck, G. — 2008-09-02

Lovastatin, a well known cholesterol lowering agent which inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, blocks TGF-β- driven myofibroblast differentiation in vitro and may therefore serve also as a future antifibrotic drug.

[Glaucoma] Cultured Porcine Trabecular Meshwork Cells Display Altered Lysosomal Function When Subjected to Chronic Oxidative Stress

Liton, P. B., Lin, Y., Luna, C., Li, G., Gonzalez, P., Epstein, D. L. — 2008-09-02

The authors describe an impairment of the lysosomal function in trabecular meshwork cells when exposed to chronic oxidative stress and validate hyperoxia as an experimental model for aging of trabecular meshwork cells.

[Glaucoma] Analysis of HRT Images: Comparison of Reference Planes

Poli, A., Strouthidis, N. G., Ho, T. A., Garway-Heath, D. F. — 2008-09-02

The new Moorfields reference plane reduces measurement variability in longitudinal series of Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph images.

[Glaucoma] Association of LOXL1 Gene Polymorphisms with Pseudoexfoliation in the Japanese

2008-09-02

Polymorphisms in the LOXL1 gene confer risk to pseudoexfoliation in the Japanese, but there are different risk-associated alleles and haplotypes in the Japanese compared to other populations.

[Glaucoma] Interactions between Trabecular Meshwork Cells and Lens Epithelial Cells: A Possible Mechanism in Infantile Aphakic Glaucoma

Michael, I., Shmoish, M., Walton, D. S., Levenberg, S. — 2008-09-02

The authors found that exposure of TM cells to LECs in culture induced morphological, protein and gene expression alternations, many of them resembling alternations seen in primary open-angle glaucoma. This strengthens the suspected role of LECs in the development of aphakic glaucoma.

[Immunology and Microbiology] Soluble gp130, an Antagonist of IL-6 Transsignaling, Is Elevated in Uveitis Aqueous Humor

2008-09-02

The authors show in this paper that soluble gp130, an inhibitor of IL-6 transsignaling, is elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with active uveitis but is still below the levels found in the serum, suggesting that elevating levels of this natural antagonist may be of therapeutic benefit.

[Immunology and Microbiology] Regulation of the Receptor for TNF{alpha}, TNFR1, in Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells

Cook, E. B., Stahl, J. L., Graziano, F. M., Barney, N. P. — 2008-09-02

The authors found that TNF-Converting Enzyme (TACE) promotes TNFR1 shedding in human conjunctival epithelial cells and that TNFR1 expression may be a more significant target than TNF for intervention in ocular inflammation.

[Immunology and Microbiology] Ocular Regulatory T Cells Distinguish Monophasic from Recurrent Autoimmune Uveitis

Ke, Y., Jiang, G., Sun, D., Kaplan, H. J., Shao, H. — 2008-09-02

This study demonstrates that dysregulation and malfunction of Tregs in the eye is an important factor in uveitis recurrence.

[Immunology and Microbiology] The B Subunit of Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Inhibits Th1 but Not Th17 Cell Responses in Established Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis

2008-09-02

The dynamic nature of Th1- and Th17-dependent immune responses during EAU, the correlate of uveitis, is such that immunomodulatory intervention, in this case EtxB, may elicit different effects on disease when administered at different time points, and thus diverting inhibiting Th1 responses may not always be desirable.

[Immunology and Microbiology] Neutrophils Protect the Retina of the Injected Eye from Infection after Anterior Chamber Inoculation of HSV-1 in BALB/c Mice

Zheng, M., Fields, M. A., Liu, Y., Cathcart, H., Richter, E., Atherton, S. S. — 2008-09-02

This paper suggests that PMNs play an important role both in limiting the intraocular spread of virus in the injected eye and in controlling the spread of the virus from the brain into the optic nerve and retina of the injected eye.

[Immunology and Microbiology] HVEM and Nectin-1 Are the Major Mediators of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) Entry into Human Conjunctival Epithelium

2008-09-02

This paper describes the discovery of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that facilitate herpes simplex virus-1 entry into human conjunctival cells.

[Physiology and Pharmacology] The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Curcuma longa and Berberis aristata in Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rabbits

2008-09-02

Described in this paper, topical instillation of aqueous extracts of Curcuma longa and Berberis aristata showed potent anti-inflammatory activity against endotoxin-induced uveitis in rabbits.

[Physiology and Pharmacology] Human Transscleral Albumin Permeability and the Effect of Topographical Location and Donor Age

Anderson, O. A., Jackson, T. L., Singh, J. K., Hussain, A. A., Marshall, J. — 2008-09-02

This paper quantifies human transscleral albumin permeability and assesses how this varies with regard to topographical location and donor age.

[Physiology and Pharmacology] Estimation of Ocular Rigidity Based on Measurement of Pulse Amplitude Using Pneumotonometry and Fundus Pulse Using Laser Interferometry in Glaucoma

2008-09-02

This study indicates increased ocular rigidity in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, which is compatible with a number of previous animal experiments and supports the concepts that the biomechanical properties of ocular tissues play a role in the disease process.

[Retina] Does Functional Vision Behave Differently in Low-Vision Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy?--A Case-Matched Study

Ahmadian, L., Massof, R. — 2008-09-02

Using a Rasch-scaled outcome measurement model, this study provides a quantitative description of the relationship between disease characteristics and functional vision impairment in low-vision patients.

[Retina] Influence of a Quantitative Trait Locus on Mouse Chromosome 19 to the Light-Adapted Electroretinogram

Reynolds, A. L., Danciger, M., Farrar, G. J., Humphries, P., Kenna, P. F. — 2008-09-02

This study investigates phenotypic variation in the wild-type mouse electroretinogram and localizes the genetic variation controlling the electroretinogram to a single genomic locus on chromosome 19.

[Retina] Plus Disease in Retinopathy of Prematurity: Development of Composite Images by Quantification of Expert Opinion

2008-09-02

Computer-based image analysis permits quantification of retinal vascular features in retinopathy of prematurity, and selection of appropriate vessels from multiple images can produce composite plus disease images corresponding to expert opinions at varying levels of disease severity.

[Retina] Neuroprotective Effect of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide against Photoreceptor Apoptosis in a Rabbit Model of Subretinal Hemorrhage

2008-09-02

In a rabbit model, subretinal hemorrhage is seen to induce photoreceptor apoptosis; intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide at standard concentrations is partially protective against this apoptotic photoreceptor cell death.

[Retina] Connective Tissue Growth Factor as a Mediator of Intraocular Fibrosis

2008-09-02

This study demonstrates that recombinant human connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is an important mediator of retinal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo and suggests that CTGF may be an effective therapeutic target for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

[Retina] Collagen Distribution in the Human Vitreoretinal Interface

2008-09-02

The authors studied collagens at the human vitreoretinal interface possibly involved in vitreoretinal attachment and observed collagen types II, V, IX, and XI in the vitreous cortex, collagen types IV, VI, and XVIII at the ILM, collagen types I-VI and XVIII in retinal blood vessels, and, surprisingly, collagen type VII in a unique pattern in the superficial retina.

[Retina] Syndromic Choroideremia: Sublocalization of Phenotypes Associated with Martin-Probst Deafness Mental Retardation Syndrome

Poloschek, C. M., Kloeckener-Gruissem, B., Hansen, L. L., Bach, M., Berger, W. — 2008-09-02

Two choroideremia (CHM) families are described with unprecedented large deletions, still expressing a mild syndromic phenotype that is sublocalized to the most proximal region of X-linked distal spinal muscular atrophy and Martin-Probst deafness mental retardation syndrome. Furthermore, a fundus autofluorescence pattern specific to CHM carriers is identified that will help to distinguish them from carriers of other X-linked recessive carrier states.

[Retina] Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Rhodopsin Mutation Associated with Autosomal Dominant CSNB

2008-09-02

The authors describe the identification of a novel rhodopsin mutation (p.Ala295Val), which leads to autosomal dominant congenital stationary night blindness (adCSNB) in a family with a unique electroretinogram compared to other adCSNB families with rhodopsin mutations. However, this mutant opsin also is able to constitutively activate transducin, which is a consistent and common feature of CSNB-associated rhodopsin mutations.

[Retina] A Novel Rabbit Model for Studying RPE Transplantation

Cong, L., Sun, D., Zhang, Z., Jiao, W., Rizzolo, L. J., Peng, S. — 2008-09-02

This study describes a rabbit model of RPE transplantation that includes superior cultures of RPE, a novel labeling method for long-term monitoring of the transplants, and a less traumatic transplantation procedure.

[Retina] Evaluation of Adenovirus-Delivered Human CD59 as a Potential Therapy for AMD in a Model of Human Membrane Attack Complex Formation on Murine RPE

Ramo, K., Cashman, S. M., Kumar-Singh, R. — 2008-09-02

This manuscript describes a gene therapy approach that may potentially have application in the treatment of the early (dry) stages of age-related macular degeneration. A humanized model of complement deposition on murine ocular tissues has been developed and gene delivery of human CD59 used to demonstrate protection against formation of human membrane attack complex (MAC) on murine RPE cells in vivo.

[Retina] High-Resolution Spectral Domain-OCT Imaging in Geographic Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2008-09-02

This paper demonstrates a wide spectrum of distinct microstructural alterations imaged with spectral-domain OCT in eyes with late atrophic AMD in (i) the perilesional zone, (ii) the junction between atrophic patches and nonatrophic retina, and (iii) the atrophic area itself.

[Retinal Cell Biology] Reprogramming Progeny Cells of Embryonic RPE to Produce Photoreceptors: Development of Advanced Photoreceptor Traits under the Induction of neuroD

Liang, L., Yan, R.-T., Li, X., Chimento, M., Wang, S.-Z. — 2008-09-02

Cultured RPE cells are guided by neuroD to differentiate into cells displaying advanced photoreceptor traits, such as decreasing their Ca²⁺ levels in response to light.

[Retinal Cell Biology] In Vivo Protection against Retinal Neurodegeneration by Sigma Receptor 1 Ligand (+)-Pentazocine

2008-09-02

This study describes the profound protection by the sigma receptor 1 ligand (+)-pentazocine against neuronal loss in the retinas of diabetic Ins2^Akita/+ mice.

[Retinal Cell Biology] Characteristics of Bone Marrow-Derived Microglia in the Normal and Injured Retina

Kaneko, H., Nishiguchi, K. M., Nakamura, M., Kachi, S., Terasaki, H. — 2008-09-02

The authors found that bone marrow-derived cells migrated into the degenerating retina from the optic nerve, ciliary body, and retinal vessels, where they differentiated into microglia and became immunologically active.

[Retinal Cell Biology] Ex Vivo Dynamic Imaging of Retinal Microglia Using Time-Lapse Confocal Microscopy

Lee, J. E., Liang, K. J., Fariss, R. N., Wong, W. T. — 2008-09-02

Microglial behavior is highly regulated by, and immediately responsive to, focal tissue injury and may constitute a therapeutic cellular response to focal laser photocoagulation.

[Retinal Cell Biology] RhoA and Its Role in Synaptic Structural Plasticity of Isolated Salamander Photoreceptors

Fontainhas, A. M., Townes-Anderson, E. — 2008-09-02

This paper investigates the presence of RhoA in photoreceptors and the role it plays in the structural changes observed in photoreceptors during retraction and regeneration.

[Retinal Cell Biology] Attenuation of Vision Loss and Delay in Apoptosis of Photoreceptors Induced by Proinsulin in a Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa

2008-09-02

Proinsulin, an embryonic growth factor transgenically produced in the muscle of rd10 mice, was able to delay the process of programmed cell death and temporarily maintained the structure of the retina and the visual function.

[Retinal Cell Biology] MCP-1 Deficiency Delays Regression of Pathologic Retinal Neovascularization in a Model of Ischemic Retinopathy

Davies, M. H., Stempel, A. J., Powers, M. R. — 2008-09-02

Infiltrating macrophages help control retinal neovascularization via apoptosis in the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

[Retinal Cell Biology] Mitochondrial DNA Oxidative Damage Triggering Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis in High Glucose-Induced HRECs

Xie, L., Zhu, X., Hu, Y., Li, T., Gao, Y., Shi, Y., Tang, S. — 2008-09-02

MtDNA oxidative damage found in high glucose-treated HRECs could trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis by setting in motion the vicious cycle of mtDNA damage leading to ROS overproduction and further mtDNA damage.

[Visual Psychophysics and Physiological Optics] Use of Visual Search in the Assessment of Pattern-Related Visual Stress (PRVS) and Its Alleviation by Colored Filters

Allen, P. M., Gilchrist, J. M., Hollis, J. — 2008-09-02

The study measures performance with a high-difficulty search task in individuals having low- and high-PRVS susceptibility and shows that individuals with high-PRVS susceptibility experienced significantly greater improvement in reading performance using a colored overlay than those with low-PRVS susceptibility. The authors confirmed that visual search measures may be helpful in the assessment of PRVS, but a number of important methodological issues may limit their application in this context.