Special Senses System

Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization

Narrative
Comment:
The corneal stroma is normally avascular, but damage from various causes may result in neovascularization. Corneal neovascularization (Figure 1 and Figure 2) is characterized by the proliferation of multiple small blood vessels in the corneal stroma. There is often concurrent stromal inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia. In most cases of neovascularization, the primary insult is inflammation resulting from various causes. However, neovascularization can also develop in the cornea of laboratory rodents fed diets deficient in certain nutrients.
Recommendations:
When neovascularization occurs without concurrent inflammation, it should be diagnosed and assigned a severity grade. When neovascularization is considered a feature of inflammation, it should not be diagnosed separately, unless warranted by severity, but should be described in the pathology narrative.
References:

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Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20019372

Frame SR, Slone TW. 1966. Nonneoplastic and neoplastic changes in the eye. In: Pathobiology of the Aging Mouse, Vol 2 (Mohr U, Dungworth DL, Capen CC, Carlton WW, Sundberg JP, Ward JM, eds). ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 97-103.

Geiss V, Yoshitomi K. 1991. Eyes. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 471-489.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm

Greaves P. 2007. Nervous system and special sense organs. In: Histopathology of Preclinical Toxicity Studies: Interpretation and Relevance in Drug Safety Evaluation, 3rd ed. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 861-933.

Abstract: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780444527714

Hoffart L, Matonti F, Conrath J, Daniel L, Ridings B, Masson GS, Chavane F. 2010. Inhibition of corneal neovascularization after alkali burn: Comparison of different doses of bevacizumab in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 38:346-353.

Full Text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02252.x/full

National Toxicology Program. 1988. NTP TR-331. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Malonaldehyde, Sodium Salt (3-Hydroxy-2-propenal, Sodium Salt) (CAS No. 24382-04-5) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/8898

Pauly A, Brignole-Baudouin, Labbé A, Liang H, Warnet J-M, Baudouin C. 2007. New tools for the evaluation of toxic ocular surface changes in the rat. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 48:5473–5463.

Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.06-0728

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Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6368130

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Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563

Yudkin AM, Lambert RM. 1923. Pathogenesis of the ocular lesions produced by a deficiency of vitamin A. J Exp Med 38:17-24.

Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2128416/pdf/17.pdf
  • Image of cornea neovascularization in the eye from a male F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are multiple small blood vessels in the stroma (arrows) with concurrent inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia.

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Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are multiple small blood vessels in the stroma (arrows) with concurrent inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia.
Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. There are multiple small blood vessels in the stroma (arrows) with concurrent inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia.
Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Multiple small blood vessels are proliferating in the stroma (arrows); there is concurrent stromal inflammation.
Eye, Cornea - Neovascularization in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Multiple small blood vessels are proliferating in the stroma (arrows); there is concurrent stromal inflammation.

Author

Margarita M. Gruebbel, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Ruth E. Hurley, DVM, PHD, DACVP
Senior Veterinary Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
North Brunswick, NJ

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC