The Effect of VEGF-A on Trabecular Meshwork and Schlemm’s Canal Endothelial Cells Permeability

Abstract

Purpose: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody therapy is effective for ocular angiogenesis. Altough some patients increased their intraocular pressure after anti-VEGF therapy, the effects of VEGF agonists on aqueous humor outflow pathway remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to investige the VEGF-A effects on aqueous humor outflow pathway.

Methods: We used human recombinant VEGF165 and VEGF121 protein in this study. Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and Schlemm’s canal endothelial (SCE) cells were isolated from the cynomolgus monkey eyes. The SCE and TM cells permeability was evaluated by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER).

Results: The TEER of SCE-cell was decreased by VEGF121 (30 nM) treated for 24 (71.8 ± 13.3 % compared to baseline, n=6) and 48 hours (62.8 ± 9.5 % compared to baseline, n=6). VEGF165 (30 nM) decreased the TEER of SCE-cell only 48 hours after treatment (65.4 ± 14.6 % compared to base line, n=6). On the other hand, the TEER of TM-cell was not affected by VEGF121 or VEGF165 treatment.

Conclusions: These results suggest that VEGF-A may regulate the conventional aqueous outflow.