AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)inhibiting retinal neovascularization.METHODS:In vitro tests were performed on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRECs)from thr...AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)inhibiting retinal neovascularization.METHODS:In vitro tests were performed on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRECs)from three groups,including control group(normal oxygen),hypoxic group(hypoxia at 37℃,1%O_(2),5%CO_(2),and 94%N_(2)),and LBP group(hypoxic group with LBP 100μg/mL).In vivo experiments,C57 mice were divided into three groups:control group(normal rearing group),the oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy(OIR)group,and the OIR with 50 mg/kg LBP group.Retinal neovascularization was observed by fluorescein angiography and quantified.Retinal thickness was evaluated by Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)stain.The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR),protein kinase B(AKT),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in each group were analyzed by Western blot.IL-1βlevel in retina was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS:The increased area of neovascular clusters in OIR mice was significantly decreased by LBP.Retinal thickness of OIR mice was significantly thinner compared with normal oxygenated mice and was increased in LBP group.Compared with those in the hypoxic groups,Western blotting of HRECs and retinal tissues revealed that the expression of EGFR,PI3K,p-mTOR,p-AKT,IL-1β,iNOS,and TNF-αdecreased in the LBP group but was still greater than that in control group.Moreover,IL-1βwas reduced in retinal sections treated with LBP.In the scratch test,the cell migration of the hypoxic group was significantly greater than that of the control group,while LBP treatment attenuated this increase in migration.CONCLUSION:LBP reduces retinal neovascularization and inflammation in vivo and inhibits the migration of HRECs in vitro by regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.展开更多
AIM:To repor t the 24mo outcomes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)inhibitors for myopic choroidal neovascularization(mCNV)in routine clinical practice and simultaneously evaluated the real-world safety.METHO...AIM:To repor t the 24mo outcomes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)inhibitors for myopic choroidal neovascularization(mCNV)in routine clinical practice and simultaneously evaluated the real-world safety.METHODS:The patients who received intravitreal injections of VEGF inhibitors of either ranibizumab(0.5 mg)or conbercept(0.5 mg)for mCNV were analyzed from 1 January 2017 to 1 January 2022.The primary outcome variables were mean change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT)changes.The secondary outcome variables included IOP changes,the period of mCNV re-treatment,and ocular adverse events.RESULTS:Totally 83 patients aged 56.40±15.36y with axial length 29.67±2.09 mm were included.In visual acuity,the mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.81±0.43.After the initial improvement at 1,3,and 6mo(P<0.05),from month 12 onwards,no statistical difference compared to baseline was found.The mean CMT from 1mo onwards had a statistically significant decrease compared with baseline CMT(P<0.05).The regression model showed better baseline BCVA and thicker baseline CMT,significantly associated with the final outcomes.In univariate analysis,choosing 3+pro re nata(PRN)as the initial injection treatment regimen was associated with better BCVA at 24mo[hazard ratio(HR)=-0.65,95%CI:-1.23,-0.07,P=0.048].However,the difference was not significant in multivariate analysis(HR=-0.59,95%CI:-1.21,0.03,P=0.089).Regarding mCNV recurrence,the mean period(P=0.725)and the proportion of mCNV reactivation(P=1.00)were similar between ranibizumab and conbercept.Kaplan-Meier plot also analyzed that the median time of re-injection was not significantly different among gender,drug,and initial injection treatment regimen.No systemic adverse events related to the therapy were observed.CONCLUSION:BCVA gains achieved by the end of our study maintain generally sustained at the 24-mo follow-up.The findings also indicate that ranibizumab and conbercept demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety profiles.Additionally,intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy using 1+PRN regimen,offers certain advantages in both efficacy and cost-effectiveness.展开更多
AIM:To quantitatively assess central macular thickness(CMT),macular neovascularization(MNV)area,vascular tortuosity(VT),and vascular dispersion(VDisp)in neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD),type 1 and ty...AIM:To quantitatively assess central macular thickness(CMT),macular neovascularization(MNV)area,vascular tortuosity(VT),and vascular dispersion(VDisp)in neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD),type 1 and type 2 MNV,by means of optical coherence tomography(OCT)and OCT angiography(OCTA)techniques.METHODS:In this retrospective and observational case series,patients were classified into type 1 or type 2 MNV groups.A comprehensive panel of OCT and OCTA metrics was evaluated,including CMT,MNV area,VT,and VDisp.All subjects underwent a standardized intravitreal conbercept(IVC)regimen[3+pro re nata(PRN)]with a 12-month follow-up.MNV area was obtained by manual measurements with OCTA software,and VT and VDisp were calculated by automated analysis with Image J software.RESULTS:A total of 101 participants were included,with 51 patients in the type 1 MNV group(mean age 67.32±9.12y)and 50 patients in the type 2 MNV group(mean age 64.74±5.21y).The mean number of IVC injections was 3.98±1.53 for type 1 MNV and 3.73±0.81 for type 2 MNV.Both subtypes exhibited significant improvements in visual acuity,accompanied by marked reductions in CMT and MNV area(P<0.05)at 12mo after treatment.In type 2 MNV,VT significantly decreased(P<0.05),whereas no significant change was observed in VT for type 1 MNV.VDisp did not significantly changed in either sybtypes.Moreover,in type 1 MNV,final best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)using logMAR correlated positively with both pre-and post-treatment CMT,while in type 2 MNV,a significant positive correlation was found between the number of injections and final CMT.CONCLUSION:This study shows that conbercept treatment significantly improves visual acuity and macular structure in both type 1 and type 2 MNV with reductions in CMT and MNV area.The significant reduction in VT in type 2 MNV suggests its potential as a biomarker for disease activity.The findings imply the quantitative assessment useful for the stratification,prognostication,and personalized management of MNV in nAMD.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the choroidal vascular index(CVI)and the choroidal structural changes beyond the subfoveal area(analyzed across a 20 mm×24 mm scanning area)in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy...AIM:To investigate the choroidal vascular index(CVI)and the choroidal structural changes beyond the subfoveal area(analyzed across a 20 mm×24 mm scanning area)in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy(cCSC)eyes with macular neovascularization(MNV)using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF SS-OCTA).METHODS:This retrospective comparative study included 46 cCSC with MNV eyes(With MNV group),52 cCSC without MNV eyes(Without MNV group),and 40 age-matched healthy controls.UWF SS-OCTA imaging with a 20 mm×24 mm protocol was used to quantify CVI across 9 subfields(superotemporal,superior,superonasal,temporal,central,nasal,inferotemporal,inferior,and inferonasal).The CVI was compared among the groups.RESULTS:With MNV group demonstrated significantly older mean age than Without MNV group(56.2±6.1 vs 47.5±8.6y,P<0.001).The CVI was significantly lower in the With MNV group than in the Without MNV group,except in the superotemporal,superior,and temporal regions(all P<0.05).Notably,despite MNV-associated CVI reductions,the With MNV group maintained a higher CVI than the control group in all 5 subfields(superior,temporal,central,inferior,and inferonasal;all P<0.05).In the central region,CONCLUSION:CVI decreases,and choroidal structural changes extend beyond the subfoveal area in cCSC with MNV eyes,providing with an imaging evidence for the important role of choroidal ischemia in the pathogenesis of MNV in cCSC.展开更多
Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)is a vision-threatening disorder that leads to pathological growth of the retinal vasculature due to hypoxia.Here,we investigated the potential effects of alamandine,a novel heptapeptide...Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)is a vision-threatening disorder that leads to pathological growth of the retinal vasculature due to hypoxia.Here,we investigated the potential effects of alamandine,a novel heptapeptide in the renin-angiotensin system(RAS),on hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization and its underlying mechanisms.In vivo,the C57BL/6J mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)were injected intravitreally with alamandine(1.0µmol/kg per eye).In vitro,human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs)were utilized to investigate the effects of alamandine(10µg/mL)on proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and tubular formation under vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)stimulation.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)matrix data from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and RAS-related genes from the Molecular Signatures Database(MSigDB)were sourced for subsequent analyses.By integrating scRNA-seq data across multiple species,we identified that RAS-associated endothelial cell populations were highly related to retinal neovascularization.The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis revealed a significant decrease in alamandine levels in both the serum and retina of OIR mice compared to those in the control group.Next,alamandine ameliorated hypoxia-induced retinal pathological neovascularization and physiologic revascularization in OIR mice.In vitro,alamandine effectively mitigated VEGF-induced proliferation,scratch wound healing,and tube formation of HRMECs primarily by inhibiting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/VEGF pathway.Further,coincubation with D-Pro7(Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D(MrgD)antagonist)hindered the beneficial impacts of alamandine on hypoxia-induced pathological angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.Our findings suggested that alamandine could mitigate retinal neovascularization by targeting the MrgD-mediated HIF-1α/VEGF pathway,providing a potential therapeutic agent for OIR prevention and treatment.展开更多
Ischemic and neovascular disease is one of the most difficult ocular diseases to deal with nowadays.Redundancy,poor visual acuity and decreased life quality are bothering patients and ophthalmologists for decades.Afte...Ischemic and neovascular disease is one of the most difficult ocular diseases to deal with nowadays.Redundancy,poor visual acuity and decreased life quality are bothering patients and ophthalmologists for decades.After vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)was found to be a primary factor in promoting retinal angiogenesis,intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs has been the firstline treatment.Whereas,some patients are refractory to this therapy and problems of economic burden,local complications and adverse effects promote researches into other possible targets.The vasohibin(VASH)family is a newly-investigated factor in modulating ocular angiogenesis.The family includes VASH1 and VASH2,which show opposite effects of inhibiting and accelerating angiogenesis respectively.Positive results have been reported in cellular and animal experiments.With further researches,it can be a promising future target of treating ocular neovascular diseases.展开更多
AIM:To assess neovascularization within human ca-rotid atherosclerotic soft plaques in patients with isch-emic stroke.METHODS:Eighty-one patients with ischemic stroke and 95 patients without stroke who had soft athero...AIM:To assess neovascularization within human ca-rotid atherosclerotic soft plaques in patients with isch-emic stroke.METHODS:Eighty-one patients with ischemic stroke and 95 patients without stroke who had soft athero-sclerotic plaques in the internal carotid artery were studied.The thickest soft plaque in each patient was examined using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Time-intensity curves were collected from 5 s to 3 min after contrast injection.The neovascularization within the plaques in the internal carotid artery was evaluated using the ACQ software built into the scanner by 2 of the experienced investigators who were blinded to the clinical history of the patients.RESULTS:Ischemic stroke was present in 7 of 33 patients(21%) with grade Ⅰ plaque,in 14 of 51 pa-tients(28%) with grade Ⅱ plaque,in 26 of 43 patients(61%) with grade Ⅲ plaque,and in 34 of 49 patients(69%) with grade Ⅳ plaque(P < 0.001 comparing grade Ⅳ plaque with grade I plaque and with grade Ⅱ plaque and P = 0.001 comparing grade Ⅲ plaque with grade Ⅰ plaque and with grade Ⅱ plaque).Analysis of the time intensity curves revealed that patients with ischemic stroke had a significantly higher intensity of enhancement(IE) than those without ischemic stroke(P < 0.01).The wash-in time(WT) of plaque was signifi-cantly shorter in stroke patients(P < 0.05).The sensi-tivity and specificity for IE in the plaque were 82% and 80%,respectively,and for WT were 68% and 74%,respectively.There was no significant difference in the peak intensity or time to peak between the 2 groups.CONCLUSION:This study shows that the higher the grade of plaque enhancement,the higher the risk of ischemic stroke.The data suggest that the presence of neovascularization is a marker for unstable plaque.展开更多
AIM： To detect the expression of a proliferation-related ligand on human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cell lines （SK-Hepl, HLE and HepG2） and in culture medium. METHODS： APRIL expression was analyzed by Wester...AIM： To detect the expression of a proliferation-related ligand on human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cell lines （SK-Hepl, HLE and HepG2） and in culture medium. METHODS： APRIL expression was analyzed by Western blotting in HCC cell lines. Effects of APRIL to cell count and angiogenesis were analyzed, too. RESULTS： Recombinant human APRIL （rhAPRIL） increased cell viability of HepG2 cells and, in HUVEC, rhAPRIL provided slight tolerance to cell death from serum starvation. Soluble APRIL （sAPRIL） from HLE cells increased after serum starvation, but did not change in SK-Hepl or HepG2 cells. These cells showed down-regulation of VEGF after incubation with anti-APRIL antibody. Furthermore, culture medium from the HCC cells treated with anti-APRIL antibody treatment inhibited tube formation of HUVECs. CONCLUSION： Functional expression of APRIL might contribute to neovascularization via an upregulation of VEGF in HCC.展开更多
AIM:To discuss the impact of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) and Danshensu purified from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of rabbits with retinal neovascularization....AIM:To discuss the impact of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) and Danshensu purified from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of rabbits with retinal neovascularization. METHODS:Forty rabbits were divided into normal control group, model control group, LBP group and Danshensu group. Animals in the normal control group were fed in the normal oxygen environment. Animals in the other three groups were put into the environment with 70% oxygen for 5 days in order to build the model of oxygen-induced vascular proliferation retinopathy. And then different TCM extract was injected into the abdominal cavities of these annimals. After 7 days, the VEGF content of in the serum of rabbit was measured by double antibody sandwich method. RESULTS:Data analysis indicated that VEGF content was as follows:Danshensu group was lower than model control group (12.92 ±3.84ng/L vs 19.32 ±4.15ng/L, P 【 0.05); LBP group and normal control group were lower than model control group (12.92±3.84ng/L, 9.26±1.61ng/L vs 19.32±4.15ng/L, P【0.01); total blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, cholesterol content, fibrinogen content and triacylglycerol content after peritoneal injection of LBP and Danshensu were obviously lower than before injection. CONCLUSION:TCM extract-LBP and Danshensu can prominently reduce the content of VEGF in the process of vascular proliferative retinopathy of rabbit; can prevent the occurrence of retinal microvascular disease by improving partial oxygen -deficient environment or affecting all kinds of new growth factor.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the risk factors associated with retinal neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy in northern Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 200 ...AIM: To evaluate the risk factors associated with retinal neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy in northern Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 200 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 100 age-matched healthy individuals were compared. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed in the patients with PDR. RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count, hematocrit (HCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were all significantly higher in patients with PDR than in the control group (P<0.05). The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors independently associated with retinal neovascularization of DR were duration of diabetes mellitus (OR=1.112; P=0.000), BUN (OR=1.277; P=0.000), smoking (OR=3.967; P=0.000) and MPV (OR=2.472; P=0.000). On the other hand, panretinal photocoagulation was associated with reduced risk of retinal neovascularization (OR=0.983; P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Preventing and controlling T2DM in terms of risk factors, including duration of diabetes, BUN, smoking and MPV, might offer novel approaches to prevent or delay the onset of retinal neovascularization in patients with PDR.展开更多
Endothelial progenitor cells are resident in the bone marrow blood sinusoids and circulate in the peripheral circulation. They mobilize from the bone marrow after vascular injury and home to the site of injury where t...Endothelial progenitor cells are resident in the bone marrow blood sinusoids and circulate in the peripheral circulation. They mobilize from the bone marrow after vascular injury and home to the site of injury where they differentiate into endothelial cells. Activation and mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells from the bone marrow is induced via the production and release of endothelial progenitor cell-activating factors and includes specific growth factors and cytokines in response to peripheral tissue hypoxia such as after acute ischemic stroke or trauma. Endotheli- al progenitor cells migrate and home to specific sites following ischemic stroke via growth factor/ cytokine gradients. Some growth factors are less stable under acidic conditions of tissue isch- emia, and synthetic analogues that are stable at low pH may provide a more effective therapeutic approach for inducing endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and promoting cerebral neovascularization following ischemic stroke.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the antiangiogenic effects of endostatin on colonic carcinoma cell line implanted in nude mice and its mechanism. METHODS:Nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection with LS-174t colonic carcinoma ce...AIM:To investigate the antiangiogenic effects of endostatin on colonic carcinoma cell line implanted in nude mice and its mechanism. METHODS:Nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection with LS-174t colonic carcinoma cell line to generate carcinoma and were randomly separated into two groups.Mice received injection of vehicle or endostatin every day for two weeks. After the tumor was harvested,the tumor volumes were determined,and the expressions of CD34,VEGF and FIk-1 were examined by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS:Tumor volume was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group(84.17%)and tumor weight was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group(0.197±0.049) compared to the control group(1.198±0.105)(F=22.56, P=0.001),microvessel density(MVD)was significantly decreased in the treated group(31.857±3.515)compared to the control group(100.143±4.290)(F=151.62,P<0.001). Furthermore,the expression of FIk-1 was significantly inhibited in the treated group(34.29%) ompared to the control group(8.57%)(X^2=13.745,P=0.001).However no significant decrease was observed in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)between these two groups(X^2=0.119,P=0.730). CONCLUSION:Endostatin can inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis by blocking Vegf/FIk-1 pathway.This experiment provides the theory basis for developing a new anti-carcinoma drug through studying the properties of anti-angiogenesis inhibitors.展开更多
Whether long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript is involved in oxygen-induced retinopathy remains poorly understood. To validate this hypothesis, we established a newborn mouse model of oxygen-...Whether long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript is involved in oxygen-induced retinopathy remains poorly understood. To validate this hypothesis, we established a newborn mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy by feeding in an oxygen concentration of 75 ± 2% from postnatal day 8 to postnatal day 12, followed by in normal air. On postnatal day 11, the mice were injected with the myocardial infarction-associated transcript siRNA plasmid via the vitreous cavity to knockdown long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript. Myocardial infarction-associated transcript siRNA transcription significantly inhibited myocardial infarctionassociated transcript mRNA expression, reduced the phosphatidylinosital-3-kinase, phosphorylated Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor immunopositivities, protein and mRNA expression, and alleviated the pathological damage to the retina of oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse models. These findings suggest that myocardial infarction-associated transcript is likely involved in the retinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity and that inhibition of myocardial infarction-associated transcript can downregulate phosphatidylinosital-3-kinase, phosphorylated Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor expression levels and inhibit neovascularization. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China(approval No. 2016 PS074 K) on February 25, 2016.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the effects of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3 K） inhibitor LY294002 on retinal neovascularization（RNV） in the oxygen-induced retinopathy（OIR） mouse model and human umbilical vein endo...AIM： To investigate the effects of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3 K） inhibitor LY294002 on retinal neovascularization（RNV） in the oxygen-induced retinopathy（OIR） mouse model and human umbilical vein endothelial cells（HUVECs）.METHODS： C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into normoxia-control, OIR-control and LY294002 treatment groups. LY294002 or phosphate-buffered solution was intraperitoneally injected daily into mouse pups from P6 to P9 in LY294002 treatment group or OIR-control group. Morphological and pathological changes in RNV, as well as expression levels of PI3 K, serine-threonine kinase（AKT） and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） were observed. HUVECs treating with LY294002 were exposed to hypoxia; the expression of PI3 K, AKT and VEGF were examined by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses.RESULTS： Compared with the OIR-control group, LY294002 significantly inhibit RNV. Adenosine diphosphatase（ADPase） staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that the clock hour scores of neovascularization and the nuclei of pre-retinal neovascular cells in the LY294002 treatment group were clearly less than those in the OIR-control group（1.41±0.52 vs 6.20±1.21; 10.50±1.58 vs 22.25±1.82, both P〈0.05）. Intravitreal injection of LY294002（in the LY294002 treatment group） markedly decreased PI3 K/AKT-VEGF expression compared with the OIR-control group by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR（all P〈0.05）. In HUVECs treated with hypoxia, expression of PI3 K, AKT and VEGF were downregulated in the hypoxia-LY294002 group（all P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION： The PI3 K inhibitor LY294002 can inhibit RNV by downregulating PI3 K, AKT, and VEGF expression in vivo and in vitro. LY294002 may provide an effective method for preventing retinopathy of prematurity（ROP）.展开更多
AIM: To compare the efficacies of subconjunctival bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib sodium injections for the inhibition of corneal neovascularization in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Sixteen corneas of 1...AIM: To compare the efficacies of subconjunctival bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib sodium injections for the inhibition of corneal neovascularization in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Sixteen corneas of 16 rats were chemically cauterized and randomized into four groups: bevacizumab group that treated with 0.05mL/1.25mg bevacizumab, ranibizumab group that treated with 0.05mL/0.5mg ranibizumab, pegaptanib group that treated with 0.05mL/0.15mg pegaptanib sodium, and control group that treated with 0.05mL saline solution. Digital photographs of the corneas were taken and analyzed using an image analysis software program. All corneas were excised and examined histologically on the 15 th day. RESULTS: Each treatment group had significantly less neovascularized corneal areas and fewer blood vessels than the control group (all P 【0.05). In addition, bevacizumab group had significantly less neovascu-larized corneal areas and fewer blood vessels than ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups (both P 【0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups regarding percentage of neovascularized corneal areas and number of blood vessels (both P 】0.05). CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival bevacizumab, ranibiz-umab, and pegaptanib sodium were effective with no corneal epitheliopathy for inhibiting corneal neovascularization after corneal burn in rats .Bevacizumab was more effective than ranibizumab and pegaptanib sodium.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effects of lentivirus-mediated pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) gene transfer performed in treatment of rats with established choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and investigates the mecha...AIM: To evaluate the effects of lentivirus-mediated pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) gene transfer performed in treatment of rats with established choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and investigates the mechanism by which PEDF inhibits CNV in rats. METHODS: Brown Norway (BN) rats (n=204) were induced by exposure to a laser, and then randomly assigned to 3 groups: no treatment; treatments with intravitreal injection of lentivirus-PEDF-green fluorescent protein (GFP) or lentivirus-control GFP (free fluorescent protein). Following induction and treatment, the CNV tissue was assessed for form, size and vessel leakage by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), histopathology, and examination of choroidal flat mounts. VEGF, Flk-1, and PEDF expression were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. RESULTS: A stable laser-induced rat model of CNV was successfully established, and used to demonstrate lentivirus-mediated REDO gene transfer by intravitreal injection. Expression of green fluorescence labelled PEDF was observed in the retina up to 28d after injection. An intravitreal injection of lentivirus-PEDF-GFP at 7d led to a significant reduction in the size, thickness and area of CNV showed by FFA, OCT and choroidal flat mounts. PEDF was up-regulated while VEGF and Flk-1 were down-regulated in the lentivirus-PEDF-GFP group. The differences in VEGF and Flk-1 expression in the control and lentivirus-PEDF groups at 7, 14, 21 and 28d after laser induction were all statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Lentivirus-mediated PEDF gene transfer is effective for use in treatment of laser-induced CNV, and PEDF exerts its therapeutic effects by inhibiting expression of VEGF and Flk-1.展开更多
Endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)are a heterogeneous population of cells that are provided by the bone marrow and other adult tissue in both animals and humans.They express both hematopoietic and endothelial surface ...Endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)are a heterogeneous population of cells that are provided by the bone marrow and other adult tissue in both animals and humans.They express both hematopoietic and endothelial surface markers,which challenge the classic dogma that the presumed differentiation of cells into angioblasts and subsequent endothelial and vascular differentiation occurred exclusively in embryonic development.This breakthrough stimulated research to understand the mechanism(s)underlying their physiologic function to allow development of new therapeutic options.One focus has been on their ability to form new vessels in injured tissues,and another has been on their ability to repair endothelial damage and restore both monolayer integrity and endothelial function in denuded vessels.Moreover,measures of their density have been shown to be a better predictor of cardiovascular events,both in healthy and coronary artery disease populations than the classical tools used in the clinic to evaluate the risk stratification.In the present paper we review the effects of EPCs on revascularization and endothelial repair in animal models and human studies,in an attempt to better understand their function,which may lead to potential advancement in clinical management.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the expression and role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) and its relationship with neovascularization and retinal cell apoptosis. METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats we...AIM: To investigate the expression and role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) and its relationship with neovascularization and retinal cell apoptosis. METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control(4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, n =10 in each group) and diabetes mellitus(DM) groups(4, 8, 12 and 16wk, n =10 in each group). A diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(60 mg/kg). After 4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, rats were sacrificed.Retinal layers and retinal neovascularization growth were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscopy. Cell apoptosis in the retina was detected by Td T-mediated d UTP nick end labeling, and NF-κB distribution and expression in the retina was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DM model success rate up to 100%.Diabetes model at each time point after the experimental groupcompared with the control group, the blood glucose was significantly increased, decreased body weight, each time point showed significant differences compared with the control group(P 【0.01). After 12 wk other pathological changes in the retina of diabetic rats were observed; after 16 wk, neovascularization were observed. After 1mo, retinal cell apoptosis was observed.Compared with the control group, NF-κB expression in the DM group significantly increased with disease duration.CONCLUSION: With the prolonging of DM progression,the expression NF-κB increases. NF-κB may be related to retinal cell apoptosis and neovascularization.展开更多
Choroidal neovascularization characterizes wet age-related macular degeneration.Choroidal neovascularization formation involves a primarily angiogenic process that is combined with both inflammation and proteolysis.A ...Choroidal neovascularization characterizes wet age-related macular degeneration.Choroidal neovascularization formation involves a primarily angiogenic process that is combined with both inflammation and proteolysis.A primary cause of choroidal neovascularization pathogenesis is alterations in pro-and anti-angiogenic factors derived from the retinal pigment epithelium,with vascular endothelium growth factor being mainly responsible for both clinical and experimental choroidal neovascularization.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)which are short,non-coding,endogenous RNA molecules have a major role in regulating various pathological processes,including inflammation and angiogenesis.A review of recent studies with the mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization model has shown alterations in miRNA expression in choroidal neovascularization tissues and could be potential therapeutic targets for wet age-related macular degeneration.Upregulation of miR-505(days 1 and 3 post-laser),miR-155(day 14)occurred in retina;miR-342-5p(days 3 and 7),miR-126-3p(day 14)in choroid;miR-23a,miR-24,miR-27a(day 7)in retina/choroid;miR-505(days 1 and 3)in retinal pigment epithelium/choroid;downregulation of miR-155(days 1 and 3),miR-29a,miR-29b,miR-29c(day 5),miR-93(day 14),miR-126(day 14)occurred in retinal pigment epithelium/choroid.Therapies using miRNA mimics or inhibitors were found to decrease choroidal neovascularization lesions.Choroidal neovascularization development was reduced by overexpression of miR-155,miR-188-5p,miR-(5,B,7),miR-126-3p,miR-342-5p,miR-93,miR-126,miR-195a-3p,miR-24,miR-21,miR-31,miR-150,and miR-184,or suppression of miR-505,miR-126-3p,miR-155,and miR-23/27.Further studies are warranted to determine miRNA expression in mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization models in order to validate and extend the reported findings.Important experimental variables need to be standardized;these include the strain and age of animals,gender,number and position of laser burns to the eye,laser parameters to induce choroidal neovascularization lesions including wavelength,power,spot size,and duration.展开更多
AIM： To evaluate whether trapping vascular endothelial growth factor-A（VEGF-A） would suppress angiogenesis and inflammation in dry eye corneas in a murine corneal suture model.METHODS： We established two groups of...AIM： To evaluate whether trapping vascular endothelial growth factor-A（VEGF-A） would suppress angiogenesis and inflammation in dry eye corneas in a murine corneal suture model.METHODS： We established two groups of animals, one with non-dry eyes and the other with induced dry eyes.In both groups, a corneal suture model was used to induce inflammation and neovascularization. Each of two groups was again divided into three subgroups according to the treatment; subgroup I（aflibercept）,subgroup II（dexamethasone） and subgroup III（phosphate buffered saline, PBS）. Corneas were harvested and immunohistochemical staining was performed to compare the extents of neovascularization and CD11b＋ cell infiltration. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the expression of inflammatory cytokines and VEGF-A in the corneas.RESULTS： Trapping VEGF-A with aflibercept resulted in significantly decreased angiogenesis and inflammation compared with the dexamethasone and PBS treatments in the dry eye corneas（all P 〈0.05）, but with no such effects in non-dry eyes. The anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects of VEGF-A trapping were stronger than those of dexamethasone in both dry eye and non-dry eye corneas（all P 〈0.05）. The levels of RNA expression of VEGF-A, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in the aflibercept subgroup were significantly decreasedcompared with those in the PBS subgroup in the dry eye group.CONCLUSION： Compared with non-dry eye corneas,dry eye corneas have greater amounts of inflammation and neovascularization and also have a more robust response to anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents after ocular surface surgery. Trapping VEGF-A is effective in decreasing both angiogenesis and inflammation in dry eye corneas after ocular surface surgery.展开更多
基金Supported by the Tianjin Health Research Project(No.ZC20069No.TJWJ2022MS040)+1 种基金the Foundation of the Committee of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine(No.2021011)the Science and Technology Foundation of Tianjin Eye Hospital(No.YKYB1901).
文摘AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)inhibiting retinal neovascularization.METHODS:In vitro tests were performed on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRECs)from three groups,including control group(normal oxygen),hypoxic group(hypoxia at 37℃,1%O_(2),5%CO_(2),and 94%N_(2)),and LBP group(hypoxic group with LBP 100μg/mL).In vivo experiments,C57 mice were divided into three groups:control group(normal rearing group),the oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy(OIR)group,and the OIR with 50 mg/kg LBP group.Retinal neovascularization was observed by fluorescein angiography and quantified.Retinal thickness was evaluated by Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)stain.The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR),protein kinase B(AKT),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in each group were analyzed by Western blot.IL-1βlevel in retina was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS:The increased area of neovascular clusters in OIR mice was significantly decreased by LBP.Retinal thickness of OIR mice was significantly thinner compared with normal oxygenated mice and was increased in LBP group.Compared with those in the hypoxic groups,Western blotting of HRECs and retinal tissues revealed that the expression of EGFR,PI3K,p-mTOR,p-AKT,IL-1β,iNOS,and TNF-αdecreased in the LBP group but was still greater than that in control group.Moreover,IL-1βwas reduced in retinal sections treated with LBP.In the scratch test,the cell migration of the hypoxic group was significantly greater than that of the control group,while LBP treatment attenuated this increase in migration.CONCLUSION:LBP reduces retinal neovascularization and inflammation in vivo and inhibits the migration of HRECs in vitro by regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
基金Supported by Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Specialty)Construction Project(No.TJYXZDXK-037A).
文摘AIM:To repor t the 24mo outcomes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)inhibitors for myopic choroidal neovascularization(mCNV)in routine clinical practice and simultaneously evaluated the real-world safety.METHODS:The patients who received intravitreal injections of VEGF inhibitors of either ranibizumab(0.5 mg)or conbercept(0.5 mg)for mCNV were analyzed from 1 January 2017 to 1 January 2022.The primary outcome variables were mean change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT)changes.The secondary outcome variables included IOP changes,the period of mCNV re-treatment,and ocular adverse events.RESULTS:Totally 83 patients aged 56.40±15.36y with axial length 29.67±2.09 mm were included.In visual acuity,the mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.81±0.43.After the initial improvement at 1,3,and 6mo(P<0.05),from month 12 onwards,no statistical difference compared to baseline was found.The mean CMT from 1mo onwards had a statistically significant decrease compared with baseline CMT(P<0.05).The regression model showed better baseline BCVA and thicker baseline CMT,significantly associated with the final outcomes.In univariate analysis,choosing 3+pro re nata(PRN)as the initial injection treatment regimen was associated with better BCVA at 24mo[hazard ratio(HR)=-0.65,95%CI:-1.23,-0.07,P=0.048].However,the difference was not significant in multivariate analysis(HR=-0.59,95%CI:-1.21,0.03,P=0.089).Regarding mCNV recurrence,the mean period(P=0.725)and the proportion of mCNV reactivation(P=1.00)were similar between ranibizumab and conbercept.Kaplan-Meier plot also analyzed that the median time of re-injection was not significantly different among gender,drug,and initial injection treatment regimen.No systemic adverse events related to the therapy were observed.CONCLUSION:BCVA gains achieved by the end of our study maintain generally sustained at the 24-mo follow-up.The findings also indicate that ranibizumab and conbercept demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety profiles.Additionally,intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy using 1+PRN regimen,offers certain advantages in both efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(No.ZR2023MH363)Bethune Langmu Young Scholars Research Fund Project(No.BJ-LM2021007J).
文摘AIM:To quantitatively assess central macular thickness(CMT),macular neovascularization(MNV)area,vascular tortuosity(VT),and vascular dispersion(VDisp)in neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD),type 1 and type 2 MNV,by means of optical coherence tomography(OCT)and OCT angiography(OCTA)techniques.METHODS:In this retrospective and observational case series,patients were classified into type 1 or type 2 MNV groups.A comprehensive panel of OCT and OCTA metrics was evaluated,including CMT,MNV area,VT,and VDisp.All subjects underwent a standardized intravitreal conbercept(IVC)regimen[3+pro re nata(PRN)]with a 12-month follow-up.MNV area was obtained by manual measurements with OCTA software,and VT and VDisp were calculated by automated analysis with Image J software.RESULTS:A total of 101 participants were included,with 51 patients in the type 1 MNV group(mean age 67.32±9.12y)and 50 patients in the type 2 MNV group(mean age 64.74±5.21y).The mean number of IVC injections was 3.98±1.53 for type 1 MNV and 3.73±0.81 for type 2 MNV.Both subtypes exhibited significant improvements in visual acuity,accompanied by marked reductions in CMT and MNV area(P<0.05)at 12mo after treatment.In type 2 MNV,VT significantly decreased(P<0.05),whereas no significant change was observed in VT for type 1 MNV.VDisp did not significantly changed in either sybtypes.Moreover,in type 1 MNV,final best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)using logMAR correlated positively with both pre-and post-treatment CMT,while in type 2 MNV,a significant positive correlation was found between the number of injections and final CMT.CONCLUSION:This study shows that conbercept treatment significantly improves visual acuity and macular structure in both type 1 and type 2 MNV with reductions in CMT and MNV area.The significant reduction in VT in type 2 MNV suggests its potential as a biomarker for disease activity.The findings imply the quantitative assessment useful for the stratification,prognostication,and personalized management of MNV in nAMD.
基金Supported by General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82471110)National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFC2502805)Postdoctoral Foundation of General Hospital of Central Theater Command(No.20210517KY04).
文摘AIM:To investigate the choroidal vascular index(CVI)and the choroidal structural changes beyond the subfoveal area(analyzed across a 20 mm×24 mm scanning area)in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy(cCSC)eyes with macular neovascularization(MNV)using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF SS-OCTA).METHODS:This retrospective comparative study included 46 cCSC with MNV eyes(With MNV group),52 cCSC without MNV eyes(Without MNV group),and 40 age-matched healthy controls.UWF SS-OCTA imaging with a 20 mm×24 mm protocol was used to quantify CVI across 9 subfields(superotemporal,superior,superonasal,temporal,central,nasal,inferotemporal,inferior,and inferonasal).The CVI was compared among the groups.RESULTS:With MNV group demonstrated significantly older mean age than Without MNV group(56.2±6.1 vs 47.5±8.6y,P<0.001).The CVI was significantly lower in the With MNV group than in the Without MNV group,except in the superotemporal,superior,and temporal regions(all P<0.05).Notably,despite MNV-associated CVI reductions,the With MNV group maintained a higher CVI than the control group in all 5 subfields(superior,temporal,central,inferior,and inferonasal;all P<0.05).In the central region,CONCLUSION:CVI decreases,and choroidal structural changes extend beyond the subfoveal area in cCSC with MNV eyes,providing with an imaging evidence for the important role of choroidal ischemia in the pathogenesis of MNV in cCSC.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82200379 and 82300309)the Shanghai Sailing Program(No.22YF1443100)+1 种基金the Academy Talent Special Fund of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University(Nos.YNRCQN0312 and MXJL202208)the Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent(No.2023ZB592),China.
文摘Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)is a vision-threatening disorder that leads to pathological growth of the retinal vasculature due to hypoxia.Here,we investigated the potential effects of alamandine,a novel heptapeptide in the renin-angiotensin system(RAS),on hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization and its underlying mechanisms.In vivo,the C57BL/6J mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)were injected intravitreally with alamandine(1.0µmol/kg per eye).In vitro,human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs)were utilized to investigate the effects of alamandine(10µg/mL)on proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and tubular formation under vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)stimulation.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)matrix data from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and RAS-related genes from the Molecular Signatures Database(MSigDB)were sourced for subsequent analyses.By integrating scRNA-seq data across multiple species,we identified that RAS-associated endothelial cell populations were highly related to retinal neovascularization.The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis revealed a significant decrease in alamandine levels in both the serum and retina of OIR mice compared to those in the control group.Next,alamandine ameliorated hypoxia-induced retinal pathological neovascularization and physiologic revascularization in OIR mice.In vitro,alamandine effectively mitigated VEGF-induced proliferation,scratch wound healing,and tube formation of HRMECs primarily by inhibiting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/VEGF pathway.Further,coincubation with D-Pro7(Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D(MrgD)antagonist)hindered the beneficial impacts of alamandine on hypoxia-induced pathological angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.Our findings suggested that alamandine could mitigate retinal neovascularization by targeting the MrgD-mediated HIF-1α/VEGF pathway,providing a potential therapeutic agent for OIR prevention and treatment.
基金Supported by Natural Science Fund Project in Jiangsu Province(No.BK20180380)Nanjing Health Commission(No.YKK18260)。
文摘Ischemic and neovascular disease is one of the most difficult ocular diseases to deal with nowadays.Redundancy,poor visual acuity and decreased life quality are bothering patients and ophthalmologists for decades.After vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)was found to be a primary factor in promoting retinal angiogenesis,intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs has been the firstline treatment.Whereas,some patients are refractory to this therapy and problems of economic burden,local complications and adverse effects promote researches into other possible targets.The vasohibin(VASH)family is a newly-investigated factor in modulating ocular angiogenesis.The family includes VASH1 and VASH2,which show opposite effects of inhibiting and accelerating angiogenesis respectively.Positive results have been reported in cellular and animal experiments.With further researches,it can be a promising future target of treating ocular neovascular diseases.
基金Supported by The Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province,No.2008C33012Zhejiang Nature Science Foundation,No.Y2080718
文摘AIM:To assess neovascularization within human ca-rotid atherosclerotic soft plaques in patients with isch-emic stroke.METHODS:Eighty-one patients with ischemic stroke and 95 patients without stroke who had soft athero-sclerotic plaques in the internal carotid artery were studied.The thickest soft plaque in each patient was examined using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Time-intensity curves were collected from 5 s to 3 min after contrast injection.The neovascularization within the plaques in the internal carotid artery was evaluated using the ACQ software built into the scanner by 2 of the experienced investigators who were blinded to the clinical history of the patients.RESULTS:Ischemic stroke was present in 7 of 33 patients(21%) with grade Ⅰ plaque,in 14 of 51 pa-tients(28%) with grade Ⅱ plaque,in 26 of 43 patients(61%) with grade Ⅲ plaque,and in 34 of 49 patients(69%) with grade Ⅳ plaque(P < 0.001 comparing grade Ⅳ plaque with grade I plaque and with grade Ⅱ plaque and P = 0.001 comparing grade Ⅲ plaque with grade Ⅰ plaque and with grade Ⅱ plaque).Analysis of the time intensity curves revealed that patients with ischemic stroke had a significantly higher intensity of enhancement(IE) than those without ischemic stroke(P < 0.01).The wash-in time(WT) of plaque was signifi-cantly shorter in stroke patients(P < 0.05).The sensi-tivity and specificity for IE in the plaque were 82% and 80%,respectively,and for WT were 68% and 74%,respectively.There was no significant difference in the peak intensity or time to peak between the 2 groups.CONCLUSION:This study shows that the higher the grade of plaque enhancement,the higher the risk of ischemic stroke.The data suggest that the presence of neovascularization is a marker for unstable plaque.
文摘AIM： To detect the expression of a proliferation-related ligand on human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cell lines （SK-Hepl, HLE and HepG2） and in culture medium. METHODS： APRIL expression was analyzed by Western blotting in HCC cell lines. Effects of APRIL to cell count and angiogenesis were analyzed, too. RESULTS： Recombinant human APRIL （rhAPRIL） increased cell viability of HepG2 cells and, in HUVEC, rhAPRIL provided slight tolerance to cell death from serum starvation. Soluble APRIL （sAPRIL） from HLE cells increased after serum starvation, but did not change in SK-Hepl or HepG2 cells. These cells showed down-regulation of VEGF after incubation with anti-APRIL antibody. Furthermore, culture medium from the HCC cells treated with anti-APRIL antibody treatment inhibited tube formation of HUVECs. CONCLUSION： Functional expression of APRIL might contribute to neovascularization via an upregulation of VEGF in HCC.
基金National"Eleventh Five-year Plan"Science and Technology Support Project,China(No.2006BAI06A15-3)
文摘AIM:To discuss the impact of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) and Danshensu purified from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of rabbits with retinal neovascularization. METHODS:Forty rabbits were divided into normal control group, model control group, LBP group and Danshensu group. Animals in the normal control group were fed in the normal oxygen environment. Animals in the other three groups were put into the environment with 70% oxygen for 5 days in order to build the model of oxygen-induced vascular proliferation retinopathy. And then different TCM extract was injected into the abdominal cavities of these annimals. After 7 days, the VEGF content of in the serum of rabbit was measured by double antibody sandwich method. RESULTS:Data analysis indicated that VEGF content was as follows:Danshensu group was lower than model control group (12.92 ±3.84ng/L vs 19.32 ±4.15ng/L, P 【 0.05); LBP group and normal control group were lower than model control group (12.92±3.84ng/L, 9.26±1.61ng/L vs 19.32±4.15ng/L, P【0.01); total blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, cholesterol content, fibrinogen content and triacylglycerol content after peritoneal injection of LBP and Danshensu were obviously lower than before injection. CONCLUSION:TCM extract-LBP and Danshensu can prominently reduce the content of VEGF in the process of vascular proliferative retinopathy of rabbit; can prevent the occurrence of retinal microvascular disease by improving partial oxygen -deficient environment or affecting all kinds of new growth factor.
基金Tianjin Science and Technology Project,China (No.08ZCGYSF01700)
文摘AIM: To evaluate the risk factors associated with retinal neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy in northern Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 200 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 100 age-matched healthy individuals were compared. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed in the patients with PDR. RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count, hematocrit (HCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were all significantly higher in patients with PDR than in the control group (P<0.05). The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors independently associated with retinal neovascularization of DR were duration of diabetes mellitus (OR=1.112; P=0.000), BUN (OR=1.277; P=0.000), smoking (OR=3.967; P=0.000) and MPV (OR=2.472; P=0.000). On the other hand, panretinal photocoagulation was associated with reduced risk of retinal neovascularization (OR=0.983; P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Preventing and controlling T2DM in terms of risk factors, including duration of diabetes, BUN, smoking and MPV, might offer novel approaches to prevent or delay the onset of retinal neovascularization in patients with PDR.
文摘Endothelial progenitor cells are resident in the bone marrow blood sinusoids and circulate in the peripheral circulation. They mobilize from the bone marrow after vascular injury and home to the site of injury where they differentiate into endothelial cells. Activation and mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells from the bone marrow is induced via the production and release of endothelial progenitor cell-activating factors and includes specific growth factors and cytokines in response to peripheral tissue hypoxia such as after acute ischemic stroke or trauma. Endotheli- al progenitor cells migrate and home to specific sites following ischemic stroke via growth factor/ cytokine gradients. Some growth factors are less stable under acidic conditions of tissue isch- emia, and synthetic analogues that are stable at low pH may provide a more effective therapeutic approach for inducing endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and promoting cerebral neovascularization following ischemic stroke.
基金Supported by the Key Technologies Research and Development Program of Heilongjiang Province During the 9th Five-Year Plan Period,No.G99C 19-5
文摘AIM:To investigate the antiangiogenic effects of endostatin on colonic carcinoma cell line implanted in nude mice and its mechanism. METHODS:Nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection with LS-174t colonic carcinoma cell line to generate carcinoma and were randomly separated into two groups.Mice received injection of vehicle or endostatin every day for two weeks. After the tumor was harvested,the tumor volumes were determined,and the expressions of CD34,VEGF and FIk-1 were examined by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS:Tumor volume was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group(84.17%)and tumor weight was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group(0.197±0.049) compared to the control group(1.198±0.105)(F=22.56, P=0.001),microvessel density(MVD)was significantly decreased in the treated group(31.857±3.515)compared to the control group(100.143±4.290)(F=151.62,P<0.001). Furthermore,the expression of FIk-1 was significantly inhibited in the treated group(34.29%) ompared to the control group(8.57%)(X^2=13.745,P=0.001).However no significant decrease was observed in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)between these two groups(X^2=0.119,P=0.730). CONCLUSION:Endostatin can inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis by blocking Vegf/FIk-1 pathway.This experiment provides the theory basis for developing a new anti-carcinoma drug through studying the properties of anti-angiogenesis inhibitors.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81600747(to YD)the Start-Up Foundation for Doctors of Liaoning Province,China,No.201501020(to YD)。
文摘Whether long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript is involved in oxygen-induced retinopathy remains poorly understood. To validate this hypothesis, we established a newborn mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy by feeding in an oxygen concentration of 75 ± 2% from postnatal day 8 to postnatal day 12, followed by in normal air. On postnatal day 11, the mice were injected with the myocardial infarction-associated transcript siRNA plasmid via the vitreous cavity to knockdown long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript. Myocardial infarction-associated transcript siRNA transcription significantly inhibited myocardial infarctionassociated transcript mRNA expression, reduced the phosphatidylinosital-3-kinase, phosphorylated Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor immunopositivities, protein and mRNA expression, and alleviated the pathological damage to the retina of oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse models. These findings suggest that myocardial infarction-associated transcript is likely involved in the retinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity and that inhibition of myocardial infarction-associated transcript can downregulate phosphatidylinosital-3-kinase, phosphorylated Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor expression levels and inhibit neovascularization. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China(approval No. 2016 PS074 K) on February 25, 2016.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81600747)Startup Foundation for Docotors of Liaoning Province (No.201501020)
文摘AIM： To investigate the effects of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3 K） inhibitor LY294002 on retinal neovascularization（RNV） in the oxygen-induced retinopathy（OIR） mouse model and human umbilical vein endothelial cells（HUVECs）.METHODS： C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into normoxia-control, OIR-control and LY294002 treatment groups. LY294002 or phosphate-buffered solution was intraperitoneally injected daily into mouse pups from P6 to P9 in LY294002 treatment group or OIR-control group. Morphological and pathological changes in RNV, as well as expression levels of PI3 K, serine-threonine kinase（AKT） and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） were observed. HUVECs treating with LY294002 were exposed to hypoxia; the expression of PI3 K, AKT and VEGF were examined by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses.RESULTS： Compared with the OIR-control group, LY294002 significantly inhibit RNV. Adenosine diphosphatase（ADPase） staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that the clock hour scores of neovascularization and the nuclei of pre-retinal neovascular cells in the LY294002 treatment group were clearly less than those in the OIR-control group（1.41±0.52 vs 6.20±1.21; 10.50±1.58 vs 22.25±1.82, both P〈0.05）. Intravitreal injection of LY294002（in the LY294002 treatment group） markedly decreased PI3 K/AKT-VEGF expression compared with the OIR-control group by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR（all P〈0.05）. In HUVECs treated with hypoxia, expression of PI3 K, AKT and VEGF were downregulated in the hypoxia-LY294002 group（all P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION： The PI3 K inhibitor LY294002 can inhibit RNV by downregulating PI3 K, AKT, and VEGF expression in vivo and in vitro. LY294002 may provide an effective method for preventing retinopathy of prematurity（ROP）.
文摘AIM: To compare the efficacies of subconjunctival bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib sodium injections for the inhibition of corneal neovascularization in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Sixteen corneas of 16 rats were chemically cauterized and randomized into four groups: bevacizumab group that treated with 0.05mL/1.25mg bevacizumab, ranibizumab group that treated with 0.05mL/0.5mg ranibizumab, pegaptanib group that treated with 0.05mL/0.15mg pegaptanib sodium, and control group that treated with 0.05mL saline solution. Digital photographs of the corneas were taken and analyzed using an image analysis software program. All corneas were excised and examined histologically on the 15 th day. RESULTS: Each treatment group had significantly less neovascularized corneal areas and fewer blood vessels than the control group (all P 【0.05). In addition, bevacizumab group had significantly less neovascu-larized corneal areas and fewer blood vessels than ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups (both P 【0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups regarding percentage of neovascularized corneal areas and number of blood vessels (both P 】0.05). CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival bevacizumab, ranibiz-umab, and pegaptanib sodium were effective with no corneal epitheliopathy for inhibiting corneal neovascularization after corneal burn in rats .Bevacizumab was more effective than ranibizumab and pegaptanib sodium.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81070735)
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effects of lentivirus-mediated pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) gene transfer performed in treatment of rats with established choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and investigates the mechanism by which PEDF inhibits CNV in rats. METHODS: Brown Norway (BN) rats (n=204) were induced by exposure to a laser, and then randomly assigned to 3 groups: no treatment; treatments with intravitreal injection of lentivirus-PEDF-green fluorescent protein (GFP) or lentivirus-control GFP (free fluorescent protein). Following induction and treatment, the CNV tissue was assessed for form, size and vessel leakage by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), histopathology, and examination of choroidal flat mounts. VEGF, Flk-1, and PEDF expression were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. RESULTS: A stable laser-induced rat model of CNV was successfully established, and used to demonstrate lentivirus-mediated REDO gene transfer by intravitreal injection. Expression of green fluorescence labelled PEDF was observed in the retina up to 28d after injection. An intravitreal injection of lentivirus-PEDF-GFP at 7d led to a significant reduction in the size, thickness and area of CNV showed by FFA, OCT and choroidal flat mounts. PEDF was up-regulated while VEGF and Flk-1 were down-regulated in the lentivirus-PEDF-GFP group. The differences in VEGF and Flk-1 expression in the control and lentivirus-PEDF groups at 7, 14, 21 and 28d after laser induction were all statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Lentivirus-mediated PEDF gene transfer is effective for use in treatment of laser-induced CNV, and PEDF exerts its therapeutic effects by inhibiting expression of VEGF and Flk-1.
基金Supported by Grants from American Heart Association grant-in-aid,No.0455435BAmerican Heart Association SDG,No. 110350047ANIH Grant No.RO1-HL077566 and No.RO1-HL085119 to Zhang C
文摘Endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)are a heterogeneous population of cells that are provided by the bone marrow and other adult tissue in both animals and humans.They express both hematopoietic and endothelial surface markers,which challenge the classic dogma that the presumed differentiation of cells into angioblasts and subsequent endothelial and vascular differentiation occurred exclusively in embryonic development.This breakthrough stimulated research to understand the mechanism(s)underlying their physiologic function to allow development of new therapeutic options.One focus has been on their ability to form new vessels in injured tissues,and another has been on their ability to repair endothelial damage and restore both monolayer integrity and endothelial function in denuded vessels.Moreover,measures of their density have been shown to be a better predictor of cardiovascular events,both in healthy and coronary artery disease populations than the classical tools used in the clinic to evaluate the risk stratification.In the present paper we review the effects of EPCs on revascularization and endothelial repair in animal models and human studies,in an attempt to better understand their function,which may lead to potential advancement in clinical management.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81371045) Shenyang Science and Technology Plan Project (No.F12-193-9-49)
文摘AIM: To investigate the expression and role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) and its relationship with neovascularization and retinal cell apoptosis. METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control(4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, n =10 in each group) and diabetes mellitus(DM) groups(4, 8, 12 and 16wk, n =10 in each group). A diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(60 mg/kg). After 4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, rats were sacrificed.Retinal layers and retinal neovascularization growth were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscopy. Cell apoptosis in the retina was detected by Td T-mediated d UTP nick end labeling, and NF-κB distribution and expression in the retina was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DM model success rate up to 100%.Diabetes model at each time point after the experimental groupcompared with the control group, the blood glucose was significantly increased, decreased body weight, each time point showed significant differences compared with the control group(P 【0.01). After 12 wk other pathological changes in the retina of diabetic rats were observed; after 16 wk, neovascularization were observed. After 1mo, retinal cell apoptosis was observed.Compared with the control group, NF-κB expression in the DM group significantly increased with disease duration.CONCLUSION: With the prolonging of DM progression,the expression NF-κB increases. NF-κB may be related to retinal cell apoptosis and neovascularization.
文摘Choroidal neovascularization characterizes wet age-related macular degeneration.Choroidal neovascularization formation involves a primarily angiogenic process that is combined with both inflammation and proteolysis.A primary cause of choroidal neovascularization pathogenesis is alterations in pro-and anti-angiogenic factors derived from the retinal pigment epithelium,with vascular endothelium growth factor being mainly responsible for both clinical and experimental choroidal neovascularization.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)which are short,non-coding,endogenous RNA molecules have a major role in regulating various pathological processes,including inflammation and angiogenesis.A review of recent studies with the mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization model has shown alterations in miRNA expression in choroidal neovascularization tissues and could be potential therapeutic targets for wet age-related macular degeneration.Upregulation of miR-505(days 1 and 3 post-laser),miR-155(day 14)occurred in retina;miR-342-5p(days 3 and 7),miR-126-3p(day 14)in choroid;miR-23a,miR-24,miR-27a(day 7)in retina/choroid;miR-505(days 1 and 3)in retinal pigment epithelium/choroid;downregulation of miR-155(days 1 and 3),miR-29a,miR-29b,miR-29c(day 5),miR-93(day 14),miR-126(day 14)occurred in retinal pigment epithelium/choroid.Therapies using miRNA mimics or inhibitors were found to decrease choroidal neovascularization lesions.Choroidal neovascularization development was reduced by overexpression of miR-155,miR-188-5p,miR-(5,B,7),miR-126-3p,miR-342-5p,miR-93,miR-126,miR-195a-3p,miR-24,miR-21,miR-31,miR-150,and miR-184,or suppression of miR-505,miR-126-3p,miR-155,and miR-23/27.Further studies are warranted to determine miRNA expression in mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization models in order to validate and extend the reported findings.Important experimental variables need to be standardized;these include the strain and age of animals,gender,number and position of laser burns to the eye,laser parameters to induce choroidal neovascularization lesions including wavelength,power,spot size,and duration.
基金Supported by the St.Vincent's Hospital,Research Institute of Medical Science Foundation(No.SVHR-2015-13)
文摘AIM： To evaluate whether trapping vascular endothelial growth factor-A（VEGF-A） would suppress angiogenesis and inflammation in dry eye corneas in a murine corneal suture model.METHODS： We established two groups of animals, one with non-dry eyes and the other with induced dry eyes.In both groups, a corneal suture model was used to induce inflammation and neovascularization. Each of two groups was again divided into three subgroups according to the treatment; subgroup I（aflibercept）,subgroup II（dexamethasone） and subgroup III（phosphate buffered saline, PBS）. Corneas were harvested and immunohistochemical staining was performed to compare the extents of neovascularization and CD11b＋ cell infiltration. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the expression of inflammatory cytokines and VEGF-A in the corneas.RESULTS： Trapping VEGF-A with aflibercept resulted in significantly decreased angiogenesis and inflammation compared with the dexamethasone and PBS treatments in the dry eye corneas（all P 〈0.05）, but with no such effects in non-dry eyes. The anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects of VEGF-A trapping were stronger than those of dexamethasone in both dry eye and non-dry eye corneas（all P 〈0.05）. The levels of RNA expression of VEGF-A, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in the aflibercept subgroup were significantly decreasedcompared with those in the PBS subgroup in the dry eye group.CONCLUSION： Compared with non-dry eye corneas,dry eye corneas have greater amounts of inflammation and neovascularization and also have a more robust response to anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents after ocular surface surgery. Trapping VEGF-A is effective in decreasing both angiogenesis and inflammation in dry eye corneas after ocular surface surgery.
