Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To define a role for native PEDF in a mouse model of laser–induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods: Adult C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with either one of three doses of anti–PEDF (20 ng/ml, 200 ng/ml and 2 µg/ml) or sham treatment (homologous antibody). These treatments were performed every 2nd day of the experiment, starting one day before applying laser. Under genereal anesthesia, 1 laser spot was placed in each quadrant of the fundus with a Krypton Red Laser (614 nm, 50µm, 0.05 sec, 200mW). Seven days later, the mice were perfused with 3% FITC high molecular weight dextran under deep anesthesia and their eyes were enucleated. Using confocal microscopy, neovascularization was imaged. The absolute area of the CNV complex (CNVabs), area of exposed Bruch’s membrane (EBM), and relative area of CNV (CNVabs /EBM) were measured using morphometric image analysis software. Results: Mice of all three treatment groups had increased relative areas of CNV compared to sham treatment. This effect was statistically significant (p values: 0.017, 0.018 and 0.025). A trend for a dose–response effect was detected (higher anti–PEDF doses tended to increase CNV more). Conclusions: Antibody to PEDF administered systemically, increases laser–induced choroidal neovascularization – most likely through immunoabsorption of native PEDF. We conclude that intrinsic PEDF plays a significant role in the anti–angiogenic control of choroidal neovascularization in this experimental model.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • growth factors/growth factor receptors • age–related macular degeneration