Use of thy1-fp transgenic mouse for the identification of ophthalmic agents
AssigneeAlcon Research, Ltd.
InventorsJi-Ye WEI, Richard L. ORNBERG, Gustav GRAFF
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of thy1-FP (fluorescent protein) non-human transgenic animals such as mice to screen for ophthalmic agents that can be used to treat corneal dry eye syndrome and/or retinal neuropathies associated with glaucoma and/or age-related macular degeneration. Such ophthalmic agents may be selected by assessing their ability to provide protection in ocular tissue.
Claims18
A method of manufacturing a topical ophthalmic agent comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a non-human transgenic animal that selectively expresses a fluorescent protein (FP) in ocular tissue;
- (b) providing a candidate substance suspected of providing protection to ocular nervous tissue;
- (c) administering the candidate substance to the animal;
- (d) selecting the agent by assessing the ability of the candidate substance to provide protection in ocular nervous tissue;
- and
- (e) manufacturing the selected ophthalmic agent.
A method of screening an agent for its efficacy in ameliorating the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, comprising administering a candidate agent to a non-human transgenic animal expressing a fluorescent protein product, and comparing the symptoms of dry eye syndrome in the non-human transgenic animal to one or more control animals, wherein a decrease in symptoms of dry eye syndrome in the animal treated with the test agent indicates efficacy of the agent.
A method of screening an agent for its efficacy in ameliorating the symptoms of glaucoma, comprising administering a candidate agent to a non-human transgenic animal expressing a fluorescent protein product, and comparing the symptoms of glaucoma in the non-human transgenic animal to one or more control animals, wherein a decrease in symptoms of glaucoma in the animal treated with the test agent indicates efficacy of the agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.