Expression of Total Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Anti-angiogenic VEGF 165 b Isoform in the Vitreous of Patients with Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study was to examine the expression of total vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the anti-angiogenic VEGF 165 b isoform in the vitreous body of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients, and to further study the role of the VEGF splicing in the development of ROP.

METHODS:

This was a prospective clinical laboratory investigation study. All patients enrolled received standard ophthalmic examination with stage 4 ROP that required vitrectomy to collect the vitreous samples. The control samples were from congenital cataract patients. The expression of total VEGF and the anti-angiogenic VEGF 165 b were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were analyzed statistically using nonparametric tests.

RESULTS:

The total VEGF level was markedly elevated in ROP samples while VEGF 165 b was markedly decreased compared to control group. The relative protein expression level of VEGF 165 b isoform was significantly decreased in ROP patients which were correlated with the ischemia-induced neovascularization.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was a switch of VEGF splicing from anti-angiogenic to pro-angiogenic family in ROP patients. A specific inhibitor that more selectively targets VEGF 165 and controls the VEGF splicing between pro- and anti-angiogenic families might be a more effective therapy for ROP.

• Authors: Min Zhao, Wan-Kun Xie, Yu-Jing Bai, Lyu-Zhen Huang, Bin Wang, Jian-Hong Liang, Hong Yin, Xiao-Xin Li, Xuan Shi
• Journal: Chinese medical journal (Chin Med J (Engl)) Vol. 128 Issue 18 Pg. 2505-9 (Sep 20 2015) ISSN: 2542-5641 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 26365970 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Protein Isoforms
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Topics

• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Protein Isoforms (metabolism)
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)
• Vitreous Body (metabolism)