Paper
20 June 2003 Neuroprotective vaccination with copolymer-1 decreases laser-induced retinal damage
Mark Belokopytov, Galina Dubinsky, Michael Belkin M.D., Mordechai Rosner M.D.
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Abstract
The retinal damage induced by laser photocoagulation increases manifold by the secondary degeneration process whereby tissues adjacent to the primary lesion are destroyed. The neuroprotective effect of immunization by glatiramer acetate (Copolymer-1, Cop-1) in adjuvant was previously demonstrated in models of retina, optic nerve, brain, and spinal cord lesions. The present study tested the neuroprotective ability of Cop-1 to reduce the spread of laser-induced retinal damage. Standard argon laser lesions were created in 72 DA pigmented rats divided into four groups: two Cop-1 treated groups (animals treated seven days before or immediately after the laser session) and two control groups treated respectively by saline or the effective but toxic neuroprotective compound MK-801. The histological and morphological evaluations of the lesions 3, 20, and 60 days after the injury revealed significant reduction in photoreceptor loss of the retinas of the pre-immunized animals. Cop-1 given after the laser injury did not prevent cell loss significantly, while the neuroprotective effect of MK-801 was observed only on the third day after the laser injury. The results show that pre-immunization with Cop-1 is neuroprotective in unmyelinated (gray matter) neural tissue such as the retina. This approach may be of clinical significance in ameliorating laser-induced retinal injuries in humans.
© (2003) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mark Belokopytov, Galina Dubinsky, Michael Belkin M.D., and Mordechai Rosner M.D. "Neuroprotective vaccination with copolymer-1 decreases laser-induced retinal damage", Proc. SPIE 4953, Laser and Noncoherent Light Ocular Effects: Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment III, (20 June 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476630
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KEYWORDS
Injuries

Retina

Argon ion lasers

Laser induced damage

Eye

Laser irradiation

Neuroprotection

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