Objective To observe the effects of immunologic cytokines or anti-angiogenesis gene transfer mediated by electroporation for choroidal melanoma cells.Methods The human embryo kidney cells and malignant choroidal melanoma cells were transfected with plasmids pNGVL-mIL2, pNGVL-mIL12, pCI-sFLK-1, pCR3.1-antiVEGF121,pCI-ExTek. Then the expression of mIL2, mIL12, sFLK-1, VEGF and ExTek were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) and Western blot. Nude mice models of malignant choroidal melanoma were established and they were divided into four groups randomly. Each group was treated with 30 mu;l of 0.9% NaCl, 30 mu;g pNGVL, 30 mu;g antiVEGF121+sFLK-1+ExTek and 30 mu;g mIL2+mIL12 respectively by electroporation. Seven，14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after treatment, the tumor volumes were measured to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. Results ELISA and Western blot showed that mIL2，mIL12，sFLK-1 and ExTek were expressed after electroporation，VEGF expression was decreased remarkably. After treatment，the tumors of mIL2+mIL12 group were greatly inhibited with a tumor inhibition rate of 97.33%，while the tumors of antiVEGF121+sFLK-1+ExTek and pNGVL group were partially inhibited with tumor inhibition rates of 53.33% and 36.33% respectively.Conclusions Immunologic cytokines transfer mediated by electroporation can inhibit the growth of melanoma，but anti-angiogenesis only have a mild effects.
Objective
To observe the effect of celecoxib on the expression vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in diabetic rats.
Methods
Thirty-six wistar rats were used to establish the diabetic models by intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into 2 groups: diabetic group (n=18) and celecoxib group (n=18). Celecoxib (50 mg/kg) was administered orally to the rats in celecoxib group and the physiological saline with the same volume was given orally to the rats in diabetic group. Eighteen else rats were in normal control group. All of the rats were executed 3 months later. The expression of VEGF protein was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） analysis was used to examine the expression of retinal VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA.
Results
Lower positive expression of VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA, weakly positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF, and lower expression of VEGF protein were detected in normal control group; in the diabetic group, the expression of VEGF mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA increased obviously comparing with which in the control group (Plt;0.05), and the bly positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF and increased expression of VEGF protein were detected (Plt;0.01); in celecoxib group, the expression of VEGF mRNA was lower than that in the diabetic group (Plt;0.05), the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA didnprime;t decrease much (Pgt;0.05), the positive action of immunohistochemistry of VEGF decreased, and the expression of VEGF protein decreased (Plt;0.01).
Conclusion
By inhibiting the activation of cyclooxygenase-2, celecoxib can inhibit the expression of retinal VEGF mRNA and protein in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2007,23:265-268)
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of conditional knocking out (KO) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene on the mouse model of oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR).MethodsThe conditional VEGF KO mice were generated using Cre-Loxp technology, resulting in the deletion of VEGF in a portion of Müller cells permanently in mouse retina. Cre positive was CKO mice, Cre negative was NKO mice. OIR was induced by keeping mice in 75% oxygen at postnatal 7 days (P7) to P12 and in room air from P12 to P17 (each 20 mice for CKO and NKO, respectively). The mice mortality was analyzed. At day P17, the percentage of retinal avascular area was calculated using retinal flat-mounting with fluorescence angiography, the number of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane was counted with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining of retinal sections, and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was detected by immunofluorescence analysis. ResultsDuring the development of OIR, the mortality rate of CKO mice (65.00%) was higher than that of NKO mice (30.00%) with the significant difference (x2=4.912, P=0.027). At day P17, all the mice retinas were harvested. The retinal fluorescence angiography displayed that the normal retinal vascularization of CKO mice was delayed, and large avascular areas were observed. Meanwhile, rare new vascular plexus was found in CKO mice and the thickness of whole retina decreased dramatically. In contrast, NKO mice developed larger area of normal retinal vascular network structure with higher blood vessel density and more new vascular plexus with obvious fluorescein leakage. The percentage of avascular area in CKO mice [(28.31±11.15)%] was higher than NKO mice [(16.82±7.23)%] with the significant difference (t=2.734, P=0.014). The HE staining of retinal sections indicated smaller counts of vascular endothelial cell nucleus breaking through retinal inner limiting membrane in CKO mice (26.10±6.37) when compared to NKO mice (28.80±7.59) , the difference was significant (t=2.437, P=0.016). The immunofluorescence analysis showed stronger expression of HIF-1α in CKO mice than NKO mice, which was mainly located in the retinal ganglion cell layer.ConclusionsThe local VEGF gene knockout partially inhibits retinal neovascularization in OIR mice. However, it also suppresses the normal retinal blood vascular development with a decrease of OIR mice survival ability.
ObjectiveTo analyze the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in aqueous humor of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) before and after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.
MethodsTwenty-five eyes of 20 PDR patients were collected as the PDR group. Twenty-five eyes of 21 senile cataract patients were collected as the control group. There were no statistical significance in gender (χ2=0.223), age (Z=-1.555) and intraocular pressure (Z=-0.225) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Samples of aqueous humor (0.1 ml) were collected just before and 7 days after the injection of ranibizumab in PDR group. Samples of aqueous (0.1 ml) humor were collected just before cataract surgery in control group. The concentrations of VEGF and PEDF in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
ResultsThe VEGF and PEDF concentration in the aqueous humor were reduced significantly after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in PDR group (Z=-4.072, -4.319; P < 0.05). The concentrations of VEGF and PEDF in the aqueous humor before intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in PDR group were significantly higher than the control group (Z=-5.228, 4.706; P < 0.05). The VEGF concentration in the aqueous humor after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in PDR group were similar to control group (Z=-1.557, P > 0.05). However, the concentration of PEDF in the aqueous humor after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in PDR group still higher than control group (Z=-2.475, P < 0.05). The ratio of VEGF/PEDF before and after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was statistically different (Z=-2.058, P < 0.05), but was the same between PDR group and control group (Z=-0.456, -0.844; P > 0.05). The aqueous humor concentrations of VEGF and PEDF were not significantly correlated with each other, neither in PDR group (r=-0.195, -0.174; P > 0.05) nor in control group (r=-0.286, P > 0.05).
ConclusionsAqueous humor concentrations of VEGF and PEDF are significantly elevated in eyes with PDR. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab significantly decreased the VEGF and PEDF in the aqueous humor after 7 days.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of individual dose of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) before type 1 threshold.MethodsA retrospective case study. From January to July, 2019, 23 cases (46 eyes) of children with type 1 pre-threshold ROP were included in the study. Among them, 14 cases (28 eyes) were male and 9 cases (18 eyes) were female. The mean gestational age at birth was 28.06±1.73 weeks. The average birth weight was 1.14±0.19 kg. The mean corrected gestational age was 34.38±1.41 weeks at the time of first intravitreal injection of IVC. The axial length (AL) of children was measured by A-mode ultrasound before IVC for the first time. According to the calculation of AL, the corresponding injection dose range was 14.23-16.19, 16.20-17.57, 17.58-18.63 mm and the injection dose of IVC was 0.015, 0.020, 0.025 ml (including IVC was 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 mg, respectively). The first IVC dose was 0.015 ml. On the first day before IVC and on the first and seventh days after IVC, 2 ml of arterial blood was taken from children, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration was detected. The follow-up time after treatment was ≥1 year. After one year of follow-up, the effective rate and recurrence rate of IVC for the first time were tested by χ2 tests. The short-term changes of injection times, injection intervals, retinal vascularization time and serum VEGF concentration in children were tested by t test.ResultsRetinal neovascularization subsided and vascular buckling decreased in all eyes. Iris neovascularization subsided, 1-3 weeks after IVC for the first time. Within one year after the first IVC, 16 eyes underwent IVC twice with or without new blood vessels at the junction of the vascular area. The average corrected gestational age was 40.56±3.81 weeks. The injection dose of IVC was 0.015 ml and 0.020 ml for 2 eyes and 14 eyes, respectively.The mean interval from IVC for the first time was 40.89±8.99 days. Of the 16 eyes who underwent IVC twice, 8 eyes showed neovascularization again in the retinal area with or without blood vessels. The average corrected gestational age was 43.00±1.41 weeks. The injection dose of IVC was 0.020 ml and 0.025 ml for 3 eyes and 5 eyes, respectively. The mean interval of the second IVC was 28.60±6.07 days. The mean interval from the first IVC was 69.20±12.40 days. At the end of follow-up, all eyes were treated effectively (100%, 46/46). The mean time of retinal vascularization was 46.31±3.42 weeks. The average number of injections was 1.52±0.76. On the first day before IVC and on the first and seventh days after IVC, the average serum VEGF concentrations were 111.21±148.71, 25.60±27.71 and 42.99±38.01 pg/ml, respectively. Serum VEGF concentration was significantly lower than that before IVC on the 1st and 7th day after IVC (Z=?4.054, ?2.779; P＜0.05). Serum VEGF concentration was higher 7 days after IVC than 1 day after IVC, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=?2.505, P＜0.05). All eyes were not treated by laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy. No eye complications such as lens opacification, endophthalmitis and retinal detachment related to drugs or treatment methods were found in all patients.ConclusionIntravitreal injection of individualized dose of IVC is effective in the treatment of type 1 pre-threshold ROP. Seven days after treatment, serum VEGF concentration of patients’serum decreases.
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of Rap1, guanosine triphosphate-Rap1 (GTP-Rap1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and β-catenin in experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV).MethodsForty-two brown Norwegian rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (7 rats) and a model group (35 rats). Both eyes were enrolled. The CNV model was established by holmium ion laser photocoagulation in the model group. At 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after photocoagulation, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and choroidal vascular smear were performed to observe the degree of fluorescein leakage and CNV area in rats; Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of Rap1, GTP-Rap1, VEGF, β-catenin and mRNA in CNV.ResultsThe results of FFA examination showed that a large disc-shaped fluorescein leaked in the photo-condensation spot 14 days after photocoagulation. Laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with 7 days after photocoagulation, CNV area increased at 14, 21, 28 days after photocoagulation, and the difference were statistically significant (t=3.725, 5.532, 3.605;P＜0.05). Western blot showed that there was no significant difference in the relative expression of Rap1 protein in CNV at different time points after photocoagulation between the two groups (P=0.156). Compared with the blank control group, the relative expression of GTP-Rap1 protein was significantly decreased, the relative expression of VEGF and β-catenin protein were significantly increased in the model group (P=0.000). The results of RT-PCR showed that there was no significant difference in the relative expression of Rap1 mRNA at different time points after photocoagulation between the two groups (P=0.645), but there were significant difference in the relative expression of β-catenin mRNA (P=0.000). At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after photocoagulation, there were significant difference in the relative expression of GTP-Rap1 and VEGF mRNA between the two groups (P=0.000).ConclusionsThe expression of GTP-Rap1 in experimental CNV is significantly lower than that in normal rats.
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI, TL1A), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in diabetes rats' serum, vitreous and retina, and discuss the role of VEGI in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
MethodsA total of p70 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the control group (10 rats), the diabetes mellitus (DM) 1 month group (20 rats), the DM 3 month group (20 rats) and the DM 6 month group (20 rats). Cytokines of serum and vitreous were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the concentrations of the cytokines in the retina were determined by immunohistochemistry on paraffin retinal sections. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of retina was used to estimate the pathological change of DR. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variances, independent samples t-test and LSD test.
ResultsThe serum TL1A levels of the control group, the DM 1 month group, the DM 3 month group and the DM 6 month group rats were (92.09±2.05), (118.36±8.30), (85.90±7.51) and (78.90±4.88) ng/L respectively, the level of TL1A in serum of the DM 1 month group, the DM 3 month group and the DM 6 month group were significantly lower than that of the control group (F=77.405, P < 0.05). The concentration of serum TNF-α and IL-1β increased after DM model was established (F=3.508, 15.416; P < 0.05); the VEGF level in serum showed no difference between the groups (F=1.242, P > 0.05). The vitreous TL1A levels of the control group, the DM 1 month group, the DM 3 month group and the DM 6 month group were (91.50±8.18), (67.03±6.74), (47.44±4.92) and (46.01±4.62) ng/L respectively, every DM groups showed significant difference with the control group (F=114.777, P < 0.05); VEGF level in vitreous increased from 1 month after DM model was established (F=8.816, P < 0.05); TNF-α and IL-1β level in vitreous also showed an upward tendency (F=4.392, 3.635; P < 0.05). Paraffin section immunohistochemistry showed that the absorbance (also called optical density) of TL1A of the DM 1 month group and the DM 3 month group were significantly lower than that of the control group (t=6.851, 6.066; P < 0.05), but the DM 6 month group showed no difference with the control group (t=1.401, P > 0.05); the level of VEGF and TNF-α in DM groups were higher than that of the control group (tVEGF=-4.709, -16.406, -9.228; tTNF-α=-4.703, -6.583, -17.762; P < 0.05); the level of IL-1β were significantly higher in the DM 1 month group and the DM 6 month group (t=-4.108, -3.495; P > 0.05); but the DM 3 month showed no difference with the control group (t=-0.997, P > 0.05). HE staining of retina showed that the retina of the control group and the DM 1 month group had normal retinal structures, the DM 3 month group had retinal edema and disorganization, the DM 6 month group had severe retinal edema, deep stain of ganglion cells, and more neovascularization in inner plexiform layer.
ConclusionVEGI is involved in the pathogenesis of DR, and it might interacts with VEGF, TNF-α and IL-1β to affect the development of DR.
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a common complication and major cause of blindness of ocular trauma. Many cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), participate in the process of the pathogenesis of traumatic PVR. VEGF competitively inhibits binding of PDGF to its receptor (PDGFRα), enables indirect activation of PDGFRα by non-PDGF ligands, resulting in reduced p53 expression, cell proliferation and migration, which is a key point in the pathogenesis of traumatic PVR.
Objective
To observe the effect of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in epiretinal membrane of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
Methods
Atotal of 35 patients (35 eyes) with PDR and underwent plana vitrectomy were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into non-PRP group (19 patients, 19 eyes) and PRP group (16 patients, 16 eyes) depends on if they had received PRP before surgery. The epiretinal membranes stripped during operation were collected for pathological examination. The histopathological features was observed by haematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of CD34, COX-2 and VEGF, and microvessel density (MVD) were measured by immunohistochemistry method.
Results
Many new dispersed capillary blood vessels were found in the thick epiretinal membranes of non-PRP group, while scattered small blood vessels were found in the relatively thin epiretinal membranes of PRP group. MVD value was (7.42±1.39) in the non-PRP group and (4.56±1.22) in the PRP group, which was lower than the non-PRP group (t=6.41, P<0.01). The expression of CD34, COX-2 and VEGF in the tissues of epiretinal membrane in PRP group were obviously lower than the non-PRP group (t=6.147, 5.944, 7.445; P<0.01).
Conclusion
PRP can effectively inhibit the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in epiretinal membrane of PRP patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression of VEGF, IL-33 and NO concentration after laser photocoagulation and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation conventional in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients.MethodsA case control study. The clinical data of 39 patients of PDR and 11 patients of idiopathic macular pucker (IMP) from Department of Ophthalmology, Central Theater General Hospital during November 2015 were collected in this study. PDR patients were assigned randomly into three groups. Fifteen PDR patients with 15 eyes were treated with conventional laser as group A. Thirteen PDR patients with 13 eyes were treated with subthreshold micropulse laser as group B. Eleven PDR patients with 11 eyes without any laser therapy were grouped as C. Eleven IMP patients were grouped as D. There was no difference of age (F=0.53, P=0.23), gender ratio (χ2=0.55, P=0.91), body mass index (F=2.62, P=0.07), duration diabetes (F=0.29, P=0.75), glycoslated hemglobin (F=1.72, P=0.19) in four groups. All PDR patients were examined with FFA. Total protein was quantified by a bicinchoninic acid assay kit. Levels of VEGF, IL-33, NO were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsThere was no difference of total protein in four groups (F=1.78, P=0.17). Group C had a higher VEGF level than group A and B (F=7.84, P=0.002). Group A had a higher IL-33 level than group C (t=4.15, P=0.02). There was no difference of IL-33 level in group B and C (t=1.34, P=0.20). Group D had a lower NO level than group A, B, C (F=38.42, P＜0.001). There was no difference of NO level in group A, B and C (F=3.29, P=0.06).ConclusionsBoth conventional laser photocoagulation and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation can decrease vitreous VEGF level and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation can induce less IL-33 level.
