# US 2008/0188573 A1 · Use of thy1-fp transgenic mouse for the identification of ophthalmic agents > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188573 A1 - Document ID: US20080188573A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/025,515 - Filed: 2008-02-04 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: Alcon Research, Ltd. - Inventors: Ji-Ye WEI; Richard L. ORNBERG; Gustav GRAFF - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188573A1 ## CPC - A61K 49/0008: {Screening agents using (non-human) animal models or transgenic animal models or chimeric hosts, e.g. Alzheimer disease animal model, transgenic model for heart failure} - A01K 67/0275: Genetically modified vertebrates, e.g. transgenic - A01K 2217/052: inducing gain of function - A01K 2227/105: Murine - A01K 2267/03: Animal model, e.g. for test or diseases - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the FP is green fluorescent protein (GFP). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the FP is yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the FP expression is driven by a neuron-specific promoter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the neuron-specific promoter is Thy-1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular nervous tissue is corneal tissue or retinal tissue. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein protection is measured by a decrease in the degeneration of ocular related neurons. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the neurons are retinal ganglion or optic nerve axons. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein protection is measured by an increase in tear film secretion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method of treating a subject suffering from or suspected of suffering from glaucoma comprising administering an effective amount of the agent identified in claim 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of treating a subject suffering from or suspected of suffering from age-related macular degeneration comprising administering an effective amount of the agent identified in claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method of treating a subject suffering from or suspected of suffering from dry eye syndrome in at least one eye comprising administering an effective amount of the agent identified in claim 1. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method of treating a subject suffering from dry eye syndrome comprising administering the agent identified in claim 13. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said dry eye syndrome is in at least one eye of the subject. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method of treating a subject suspected of suffering from dry eye syndrome comprising administering the agent identified in claim 13. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method of treating a subject suspect of suffering from glaucoma comprising administering the agent identified in claim 17.