Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the effect of anti-VEGF antibody on the expression of neurotrophin receptors (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) in the mouse retina
Methods: :
After intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibody in adult C57BL/6J mice, the expression of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC were evaluated with immunohistochemistry at 1 day, 7 days and 30 days after injection.
Results: :
TrkA was expressed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner and outer plexiform layers. TrkB was expressed in the ganglion cell layer, the inner and outer plexiform layers, and the inner nuclear layer. TrkC was expressed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. The expression of TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC were all decreased 1 day after injection of anti-VEGF antibody, and were partially recovered at 7 days after injection. Neurotrophin receptor expression had returned near normal at 30 days after injection.
Conclusions: :
The expression of neurotrophin receptors in the mouse retina is down-regulated by intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody injection, suggesting that anti-VEGF antibody may adversely effect neuronal development.
Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor • growth factors/growth factor receptors