Abstract
Purpose: :
Membrane attack complex (MAC), cytokines/chemokines as well as angiogenic growth factors play a critical role in the development of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The objective of the present study was to determine the expression profile of MAC, chemokines and angiogenic growth factors in mouse model of laser-induced CNV.
Methods: :
CNV was induced by Argon laser photocoagulation in C57BL/6 mouse. Animals were sacrificed at various time points (6 h, 12 h, days 1, and 2 post-laser) and RPE-choroid tissues were harvested. Time dependent expression of chemokines (CCL-2 and KC) and angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, β-FGF and TGF-β2) was investigated by RT-PCR analysis. MAC deposition at above mentioned time points was detected using immunohistochemical staining of RPE-choroid-scleral flat mounts.
Results: :
CCL-2 increased at six hours post-laser, remained elevated at 12 hr and day 1 post-laser and declined by day 2 post-laser. Increased MAC deposition was detected at six hours post-laser compared to naïve mice and remained elevated till day 2 post-laser. In contrast, levels of KC and three angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, β-FGF and TGF-β2) remained unchanged until day 2 post-laser. Our previous studies demonstrated that these growth factors increased on days 3 and 5 post-laser.
Conclusions: :
Taken together our results demonstrate that increased MAC deposition and CCL-2 expression precedes increased expression of angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, β-FGF and TGF-β2) during the course of laser-induced CNV.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization • inflammation