Rat model for a corneal basement membrane-type dystrophy

J. L. Lyons, L. F. Rich, S. Baggia, D. J. Wilson, J. T. Rosenbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To determine clinical and histologic findings in Fisher rats that had an apparent corneal dystrophy. Methods: Numerous Fisher rats undergoing slit lamp examinations were incidentally found to have a corneal abnormality, present in the majority of rats seen. A set of 12 random Fisher rats of both genders (Bantin-Kingman, strain F344) were studied at the slit lamp, photographed, and the corneas examined histologically by H&E, PAS, trichrome, and Congo Red stains. Results: Of the 12 rats, all had bilateral numerous, small, nonvascular subepithelial white deposits over the central cornea. The opacities were a combination of linear and round. These lesions were seen when the rats were first examined at 2 months of age; although they appeared more opaque at a later age of 6 months, they did not change in location or configuration. Histologically, the basement membrane appears abnormal on PAS staining. Conclusions: These rats are an excellent animal model for an apparently autosomal dominant basement membrane-type corneal dystrophy. Further genetic, histologic, and ultrastructural studies are in progress to classify this dystrophy further, and to determine its relationship to a known human type of corneal dystrophy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S1016
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume37
Issue number3
StatePublished - Feb 15 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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