Increased angiogenic factors associated with peripheral avascular retina and intravitreous neovascularization: a model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor, and their respective receptors in retinas using a model of retinopathy of prematurity.

METHODS:

Retinas isolated from a 50/10 oxygen (inspired oxygen cycled between 50% oxygen and 10% oxygen every 24 hours)-induced rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (50/10 OIR model), and from room air-raised rat pups (RA) at birth, age 14 days (persistent peripheral avascular retina in the 50/10 OIR model and complete retinal vascularization in RA) and age 18 days (intravitreous neovascularization in the 50/10 OIR model) were analyzed for messenger RNA of VEGF(164), neuropilin 1, neuropilin 2, VEGF receptor 1, VEGF receptor 2, pigment epithelium-derived factor, and pigment epithelium-derived factor receptor by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

In the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA, fold changes in expression of VEGF(164), neuropilin 1, and neuropilin 2 were significantly increased at ages 14 and 18 days. A trend for increased fold change was noted in expression of VEGF receptor 2 at age 14 days and a significant increase at age 18 days in the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA. Pigment epithelium-derived factor receptor was significantly increased at age 14 days in the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA.

CONCLUSION:

Increased expression of VEGF(164) and angiogenic receptors were found in association with both avascular retina at day 14 and intravitreous neovascularization at day 18 in a relevant model of retinopathy of prematurity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Increased VEGF and angiogenic receptors may have a role in the development of peripheral avascular retina and stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity.

• Authors: Steven J Budd, M Elizabeth Hartnett
• Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (Arch Ophthalmol) Vol. 128 Issue 5 Pg. 589-95 (May 2010) ISSN: 1538-3601 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20457980 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Eye Proteins
• Nerve Growth Factors
• Neuropilin-2
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, Neuropeptide
• Serpins
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• pigment epithelium-derived factor
• pigment epithelium-derived factor receptor
• vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat
• Neuropilin-1
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Newborn
• Disease Models, Animal
• Eye Proteins (genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation (physiology)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Nerve Growth Factors (genetics)
• Neuropilin-1 (genetics)
• Neuropilin-2 (genetics)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Receptors, Neuropeptide (genetics)
• Retinal Neovascularization (genetics)
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (classification, genetics)
• Serpins (genetics)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (genetics)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (genetics)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (genetics)
• Vitreous Body (blood supply)