May 2007
Volume 48, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2007
Expression of COX-2 in Choroidal Neovascular Membranes From Age Related Macular Degeneration Patients
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • S. C. Maloney
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • C. Martins
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • E. Antecka
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • P. Logan
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • D. Faingold
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • M. N. Burnier, Jr.
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships S.C. Maloney, None; C. Martins, None; E. Antecka, None; P. Logan, None; D. Faingold, None; M.N. Burnier, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2007, Vol.48, 3018. doi:
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      S. C. Maloney, C. Martins, E. Antecka, P. Logan, D. Faingold, M. N. Burnier, Jr.; Expression of COX-2 in Choroidal Neovascular Membranes From Age Related Macular Degeneration Patients. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(13):3018.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose:: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been broadly investigated as a potential anti-angiogenic target in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. COX-2 has previously been shown to modulate the expression of VEGF and its receptors, suggesting that anti-COX-2 strategies represent prospective adjunct therapies to currently established anti-VEGF modalities. Previous studies have investigated the efficacy of anti-COX-2 therapies in inhibiting choroidal neovascularization in animal models, but to date no study has examined COX-2 expression in human choroidal neovascular membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible expression of COX-2 in human choroidal neovascular membranes.

Methods:: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of choroidal neovascular membranes excised from 16 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were used for this study. Sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using a mouse anti-human monoclonal COX-2 antibody. Staining was classified as either negative or positive in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, endothelial cells of blood vessels, and fibroblasts.

Results:: Eleven of 16 choroidal neovascular membranes stained positive for COX-2 in RPE cells (69%), with six of these also expressing COX-2 in vessels (38%) and five demonstrating expression in fibroblasts (31%). None of the sections that were negative for COX-2 in the RPE showed COX-2 expression in the other structures.

Conclusions:: The expression of COX-2 in human choroidal neovascular membranes suggests a possible role for this modulator in AMD pathogenesis. Specific targeting of COX-2 may represent a therapeutic approach to managing the inflammatory component of this disease. Moreover, anti-COX-2 strategies may prove to be beneficial in preventing disease progression in high-risk patients.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization • immunohistochemistry 
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