Therapeutic effect against retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy: bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus Conbercept.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To study the therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) against retinal neovascularization and to compare with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

METHODS:

Neonatal C57BL/6 mice were exposed in hyperoxygen and returned to room air to develop oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Red fluorescent protein-labeled BMSC and Conbercept were intravitreally injected into OIR mice, respectively. Inhibition of neovascularization and apoptosis in OIR mice were assessed through retinal angiography, histopathology and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

RESULTS:

BMSC were able to migrate and integrate into the host retina, significantly inhibit retinal neovascular tufts and remodel the capillary network after injecton. Treatment with BMSC increased the retinal vascular density, decreased the number of acellular capillaries and inhibited retinal cell death. This effect was not inferior to current anti-VEGF therapy by using Conbercept.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intravitreal injection of BMSC exerts a protective effect against retinal neovascularization and offers a therapeutic strategy for oxygen-induced retinopathy.

• Authors: Wei Xu, Weijing Cheng, Xiaoyuan Cui, Guoxing Xu
• Journal: BMC ophthalmology (BMC Ophthalmol) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 7 (Jan 06 2020) ISSN: 1471-2415 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31906900 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• KH902 fusion protein

Topics

• Analysis of Variance
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Retinal Neovascularization (drug therapy)