Abstract
Purpose :
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of legal blindness among the elderly involving degeneration of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Activation of inflammatory process underlies development and progression of both of these features of AMD. We previously demonstrated that administration of the inflammatory cytokine IL-18 induced RPE degeneration and impaired retinal electrophysiology, without affecting CNV. Anti-angiogenic activity was previously reported using an IL-18 manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, a different source from our prior studies. Here, we retested the effects of IL-18 on CNV using recombinant IL-18 reagents from variety of sources including GlaxoSmithKline.
Methods :
IL-18 compounds were obtained from GlaxoSmithKline (from the same lot as reported previously), MBL, USBiological Life Sciences. To induce CNV, laser photocoagulation (532nm, 180mW, 0.1sec) was performed in 6-8week-old C57BL/6J mice, immediately followed by intravitreous injections of IL-18 compounds in a range of doses. Seven days later, CNV formation in the laser-burn area was labeled with isolectin B4, visualized by a confocal microscopy and quantified.
Results :
None of three IL-18 compounds changed the size of CNV legions, compared with their vehicle controls.
Conclusions :
We did not confirm the anti-angiogenic activity of IL-18, in laser-induced CNV in mice.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.