Abstract
Purpose: :
we have previously shown that P2X2 and P2Y2 receptors were upregulated in a mouse model of oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR). A positive P2X2–like immunoreactivity was found in neovessels. We aimed to evaluate the effect of suramin, a non–specific P2–receptor antagonist, in retinal neovascularization.
Methods: :
OIR was induced in twentyfour mice. Ten animals were treated intraperitoneally (IP) with a 1.75mg suramin injection per mouse at day 12. After five days all animals were euthanised for histological analysis. Vascular nuclei above the internal limiting membrane (ILM) were counted for neovascularization. Differences between the numbers of nuclei inside the ILM were compared between treated and control animals.
Results: :
suramin dramatically inhibits neovessels formation after IP injection (5 nuclei/section in suramin treated mice vs 25 nuclei/section in non–treated mice).
Conclusions: :
P2–receptors may be considered a pharmacological target to inhibit retinal neovascularization.
Keywords: retinal neovascularization • retinopathy of prematurity • hypoxia