Roles of Osteopontin in Development of Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice

Abstract

Purpose: : To examine the roles of osteopontin (OPN) in experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV). We reported that OPN play a significant role in the neovascularization of cultured endothelial cells and also is involved in development of corneal neovascularization in mice. (2008, 2009 ARVO)

Methods: : Laser photocoagulation was performed to produce a CNV model in mice. Effects of lacking OPN gene or systemic i. p. administration of anti-OPN antibody (400microg/mouse) were examined. We then further examined the effects of bone marrow (BM) transplantation between wild-type (WT) and OPN-null (KO) mice. The size of CNV was measured at 2 weeks by fluorescence angiograms.

Results: : Either OPN gene ablation or systemic administration of anti-OPN antibody attenuated development of experimental CNV in mice. There was no significant difference of the size of experimental CNV between KO mice that received WT BM and WT mice with KO BM.

Conclusions: : Loss of OPN gene or its function suppresses development of CNV in mice. Both OPN deficient tissue and BM-derived inflammatory cells have an important role of CNV. This favorable outcome could mean that OPN is a potential drug target for improving the outcome of CNV.

Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • cytokines/chemokines • inflammation