The Influence of Brightness on Functional Assessment by mfERG: A Study on Scaffolds Used in Retinal Cell Transplantation in Pigs

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Influence of Brightness on Functional Assessment by mfERG

T2 - A Study on Scaffolds Used in Retinal Cell Transplantation in Pigs

AU - Christiansen, A T

AU - Kiilgaard, J F

AU - Smith, M

AU - Ejstrup, R

AU - Wnek, G E

AU - Prause, J U

AU - Young, M J

AU - Klassen, H

AU - Kaplan, H

AU - la Cour, Mette Funding

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - To determine the effect of membrane brightness on multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs), we implanted poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) membranes in the subretinal space of 11 porcine eyes. We compared membranes with their native shiny white color with membranes that were stained with a blue dye (Brilliant Blue). Histological and electrophysiological evaluation of the overlying retina was carried out 6 weeks after implantation. Histologically, both white and blue membranes degraded in a spongiform manner leaving a disrupted outer retina with no preserved photoreceptor segments. Multifocal ERG revealed the white membranes to have a significantly higher P1-amplitude ratio than the blue (P = 0.027), and a correlation between brightness ratio and P1-amplitude ratio was found (r = 0.762). Based on our findings, we conclude that bright subretinal objects can produce normal mfERG amplitude ratios even when the adjacent photoreceptors are missing. Functional assessment with mfERG in scaffold implant studies should therefore be evaluated with care.

AB - To determine the effect of membrane brightness on multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs), we implanted poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) membranes in the subretinal space of 11 porcine eyes. We compared membranes with their native shiny white color with membranes that were stained with a blue dye (Brilliant Blue). Histological and electrophysiological evaluation of the overlying retina was carried out 6 weeks after implantation. Histologically, both white and blue membranes degraded in a spongiform manner leaving a disrupted outer retina with no preserved photoreceptor segments. Multifocal ERG revealed the white membranes to have a significantly higher P1-amplitude ratio than the blue (P = 0.027), and a correlation between brightness ratio and P1-amplitude ratio was found (r = 0.762). Based on our findings, we conclude that bright subretinal objects can produce normal mfERG amplitude ratios even when the adjacent photoreceptors are missing. Functional assessment with mfERG in scaffold implant studies should therefore be evaluated with care.

U2 - 10.1155/2012/263264

DO - 10.1155/2012/263264

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22550501

SN - 1687-966X

VL - 2012

SP - 1

EP - 7

JO - Stem Cells International

JF - Stem Cells International

IS - 263264

ER -