Hypothermia protects retinal cells against cobalt-chloride induced hypoxic damage in a porcine organ explant culture

Purpose: Cobalt-chloride (CoCl2) induces a strong degeneration of the porcine retina through hypoxic mechanisms. Neurons of the inner retina layers are particularly affected. This model is used to study possible protective effects of hypothermia treatment. Methods: Organotypic cultures of porcine retinas were cultured and treated with 300 μM CoCl2 for 48 h. Hypothermia (30°C) was applied for the same duration. Results: At day 8, RGC layer thickness decreased. In accordance, a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was noted in the CoCl2 group (p = 0.0004), while RGCs were rescued through hypothermia. The amount of apoptotic RGCs was higher in the CoCl2 group (p = 0.0002), but also present in the CoCl2+hypothermia group (p = 0.002). Conclusions: A protection of RGCs could be achieved through hypothermia application in a hypoxia porcine retina organ culture. This alternative model is suitable for drug and treatment screening and will therefore reduce the number of animal studies. VII-29