Abstract
Purpose: :
The role of erythropoietin is retinal neovascularization has been reported. Therefore, a hypothesis was raised that it may also contribute to choroidal neovascularization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of erythropoietin in choroidal neovascularization tissue induced by laser in mice.
Methods: :
Choroidal neovascularization mice model was induced by laser injury of the Bruch’s membrane in C57BL/6 mice. The mice at different days after laser treatment were sacrificed and the choroidal tissue was dissected. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to investigate the expression of erythropoietin.
Results: :
It was showed in immunohistochemistry that the erythropoietin was expressed on the choroidal neovascularization tissue, not only on the vascular endothelial cells but also other cells and tissues around endothelial cells. The level of erythropoietin expression increased after laser treatment and reached highest level at 14 days after laser, which was three fold of the baseline.
Conclusions: :
The expression of erythropoietin was upregulated in laser induced choroidal neovascularization tissue. Erythropoietin may play a role in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization.
Keywords: neovascularization • choroid: neovascularization