Genetic modifiers of rodent animal models: the role in cataractogenesis

• Published in: Experimental Animals Vol. 68; no. 4; pp. 397 - 406
• Main Authors: Wada, Kenta, Yasuda, Shumpei P., Kikkawa, Yoshiaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science 01.01.2019; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Aging; Animal models; Animals; cataract; Cataract - genetics; Cataract - pathology; Cataracts; Disease Models, Animal; Eye diseases; Eye injuries; Gene mapping; genetic modifier; Heterogeneity; lens transparency; Mapping; Mice; mouse model; Mutation; People with disabilities; Quality of life; Radiation injuries; rat model; Rats; Review; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Rodents; Ultraviolet radiation; Visual impairment; rat model; cataract; mouse model; lens transparency; genetic modifier
• ISSN: 1341-1357; 1881-7122
• DOI: 10.1538/expanim.19-0020

Visual impairment leads to a decrease in quality of life. Cataract is the most commonly observed ocular disease in humans that causes vision disorders. The risk factors associated with cataract development include aging, infections, eye injuries, environmental causes, such as radiation and exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight, and genetic mutations. Additionally, several cataract patients display phenotypic heterogeneity, suggesting the role of genetic modifiers in the modulation of severity and onset time of cataractogenesis. However, the genetic modifiers associated with cataract have not been identified in humans yet. In contrast, the identification and mapping of genetic modifiers have been successfully carried out in mice and rats. In this review, we focus on the genetic modifiers of cataract in the rodent models.