New corneal neovascularization model in rabbits for angiogenesis research.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new experimental model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization (NV) for angiogenesis research.

METHODS

The new model was created in the right eye of 20 New Zealand rabbits using 5 interrupted silk sutures following an inverted triangle pattern. At different time points after suture placement, calibrated photographs were taken to quantify the corneal surface covered by the sutures (SCS) and the corneal NV response. At the end of the experiment, the corneas were processed for histological study.

RESULTS

Vascular sprouts were already observed on the 3rd day. On the 7th day, the mean corneal NV surface was 19.02 ± 4.65 mm(2). On the 14th day, the mean corneal NV surface increased up to 28.96 ± 6.33 mm(2), representing 112.18% of the SCS and 21.04% of the total corneal surface. Histological sections showed that the new vessels were located at the two anterior thirds of the corneal stroma with an intense inflammatory infiltration.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that this experimental model is effective, reliable and reproducible to induce corneal NV for angiogenesis research.