Ocular wounding prevents pre-retinal neovascularization andupregulates PEDF expression in the inner retina

[摘要] Purpose: Perforation injury to the eye can protect against retinaldegeneration and pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF) may play arole in this neuro-protective effect. PEDF has also been shown topossess potent anti-angiogenic properties. The current study hasinvestigated a possible anti-angiogenic effect of penetrating ocularinjury in a murine model of oxygen induced proliferative retinopathy(OIR) and determined if such a procedure alters PEDF expression in theretina.Methods: OIR was produced by exposure of neonatal mice to 75% oxygenbetween postnatal days 7 and 12 (P7-P12). Mice were separated intovarious groups, with one group receiving a penetrating injury in asingle eye. Pre-retinal neovascularization and intra-retinal ischaemiawas quantified at P17 and PEDF protein expression was determined usingimmunofluorescence in retinal flatmounts and sections. PEDF mRNA wasquantified using real-time RT-PCR.Results: Punctured eyes showed less pre-retinal neovascularizationat P17 when compared to the non-punctured eyes (p<0.001) althoughthere was no effect on retinal ischaemia. PEDF immunreactivity wasstrongest in the ganglion cells of the retina, and intensity increasedin punctured eyes at P13. There was more immunoreactive PEDF in ganglioncells adjacent to retinal venules than arterioles. At P13, retinal PEDFmRNA was also increased in punctured eyes compared to non-puncturedcontrols (p<0.05), although there was no differential at P17.Conclusions: Penetrating ocular injury suppresses retinalneovascularization and modulates expression of PEDF. These findings haveimplications for intra-vitreal delivery of angiostatic agents sinceocular perforation may provoke an acute, endogenous anti-angiogenicresponse that should be taken into account.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理