Table 2.
Animal RDD Models and Factors Affecting Suitability for Preclinical Retinal Cell Replacementa
| Species | Ocular Anatomy: Similarity to Human | Features | Predicted TRSb Compatibility with Humanc | Options for Immune Suppression | Selected RDD Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | + | - Small globe with large lens | 89% | Genetically modified | Rd1, Rd10, many others |
| - Rod-dominant retina | Pharmacologic | ||||
| Rat | + | - Small globe with large lens | 88% | Genetically modified | RCS, S334ter, P23H |
| - Rod-dominant retina | Pharmacologic | ||||
| Ground squirrel | ++ | - Small globe with small lens | 44%d | Pharmacologic | Retinal detachment |
| - Cone-dominant retina | |||||
| Rabbit | ++ | - Medium-sized globe with small lens | 86% | Pharmacologic | RHO (P347L)246 |
| - Visual streak | Laser damage247 | ||||
| Cat | +++ | - Medium-sized globe with small lens | 92% | Pharmacologic | RDH5, CEP290, AIPL1 |
| - Area centralis | |||||
| Dog | +++ | - Moderately large globe with small lens - Area centralis | 81% | Pharmacologic | RHO, RPE65, PDE6A, PDE6B, SAG, ABCA4 |
| Pig | ++++ | - Large globe with small lens | 85% | Pharmacologic | RHO (P23H) |
| - Visual streak | Genetic models248 | Laser damage | |||
| Surgically-induced224 | |||||
| Macaque | +++++ | - Large globe with small lens | 98% | Pharmacologic | PDE6C, BBS7 |
| - Macula | Laser damage |
a
A summary of findings from: Stanzel et al., 2019249 (ocular anatomy, RDD models), Laver and Matsubara, 2017206 (xenograft compatibility), and Winkler et al., 2020211 (RDD models).
b
Photoreceptor triad ribbon synapse.
c
Based on the Pikachurin sequence similarity (percentage) between humans and the listed species.
d
Laver and Matsubara broadly refer to squirrels; this may not directly reflect TRS compatibility of specific models (e.g. 13-lined ground squirrels).