Abstract
Purpose: :
The extent of angiogenesis and/or VEGF expression in vitreo-retinal diseases correlates with poor visual prognosis. Among the genes up-regulated by VEGF was the brain-derived growth factor (BDNF). The aim of this study was to analyse retinal changes in VEGF/BDNF expression, in relation to p53 gene availability.
Methods: :
Homogenates of mice retina-choroid were obtained from one-year-old mice distributed into two groups: 1) mice carrying two extra copies of p53 (in addition to the two endogenous alleles) in the form of large genomic transgenes (sp53G; n=6), and 2) wild type mice with normal p53 genetic background (CG); n=8). The VEGF and BDNF expression was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Data processing was done by the SPSS 15.0 program.
Results: :
Data demonstrate distinct expression of VEGF (85,14 ± 5,73 vs 73,52 ± 4,16 p=0,0168) and especially of BDNF (121,13 ± 2,72 vs 108,16 ± 4,43; p=0,0025) in the sp53 mice retinas than in the controls.
Conclusions: :
Considering the multipotent actions of VEGF, and the fact that inhibiting BDNF expression may down-regulates VEGF secretion and angiogenesis, our findings strongly suggest that p53 may have some role in the progression of human choroidal neovascularization.
Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor • retina • gene/expression