Abstract
Purpose::
This study investigates the anti-lymphoangiogenic and anti-angiogenic efficacy of a recombinant protein composed of the three type 1 repeats (3TSR), the anti-angiogenic domain of thrombospondin-1, in a mouse corneal suture induced inflammation model.
Methods::
The mouse corneal suture inflammation model was used to induce blood- and lymphatic vessel growth. Three interrupted sutures (11-0 nylon) were placed in C57BL/6 mice (n=6), which were then treated with 3TSR or a vehicle by an osmotic mini pump (3.13mg/ml; 1 µl/hour). One week after suture placement, corneas were excised and stained with LYVE-1 as a lymphatic endothelial marker and CD31 as a panendothelial marker. The corneal vessel densities were then digitized and measured using NIH image software.
Results::
One week after corneal suture placement, mice that were treated with 3TSR had significantly less corneal lymphoangiogenesis than control mice (P=0.019). Corneal angiogenesis between 3TSR treated and control mice was slightly but not significatnly reduced.
Conclusions::
Treatment with 3TSR might reduce not only the rejection reaction following organ transplantation but also the lymphatic metastasis of malignant tumors by suppressing the inflammatory lymphoangiogenesis.
Keywords: neovascularization • cornea: basic science • pathology: experimental