Angiogenesis is a complex phenomenon regulated by both pro- and antiangiogenic factors such as the
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF), and
inflammation may be involved in the process. Although antagonizing
VEGF has been proposed as a therapeutic approach to limit
corneal angiogenesis, alternative targets are needed. In this study, we demonstrate that, under proangiogenic experimental conditions, human endothelial cells (hECs) express more
insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1
proteins relative to quiescent cells. The
antisense oligonucleotide,
GS-101 (5'-TATCCGGAGGGCTCGCCATGCTGCT-3'), targeting IRS-1
mRNA, dose-dependently inhibited (p < 0.01) both IRS-1 expression and in vitro angiogenesis (hEC tube-like structure formation) with IC(50) of 8.51 +/- 3.01 microM (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 2.47 +/- 0.56 microM, respectively, demonstrating that partial IRS-1 down-regulation interferes with angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic effects of
GS-101 were associated with a decrease in
protein kinase B (Akt) activation but not
mitogen-activated protein kinase-1/2 and a dose-dependent reduction in
vascular endothelial growth factor-A (IC(50) = 5.59 +/- 2.76 microM) and the proinflammatory
cytokine interleukin-1beta (IC(50) = 2.19 +/- 1.07 microM)
mRNA expression. In accordance, once daily topical application of
GS-101 dose-dependently inhibited injury-dependent
corneal angiogenesis in vivo (p < 0.05).
GS-101 in vivo efficacy was achieved at final tissue concentrations within in vitro EC(50) for IRS-1 down-regulation. In conclusion, these results suggest that IRS-1 is important for angiogenesis and that
GS-101 could become a novel therapeutic tool against
corneal angiogenesis.