Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the efficacy of topical apatinib compared with 0.5% bevacizumab in a murine model of corneal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods :
Murine CNV was induced by means of total disepithelization and alkali burn. The mice were divided into five groups: control, PBS, 0.1% and 0.5% of apatinib, and 0.5% of bevacizumab. CNV area and index were measured 7 and 14 days after treatment. After corneal tissues were excised at day 14, CNV (blood and lymphatic) and leukocyte infiltration were quantified by CD31, LYVE1, and CD45 immunofluorescence, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin corneal cross sections and whole mounted toludine blue staining were used to compare anatomy and vessel density of each groups.
Results :
After 14 days, treatment groups with 0.1% and 0.5% apatinib, and 0.5% bevacizumab decreased CNV area and index compared with control group. A significant decreased in blood and lymphatic vascularization by CD31, LYVE1, and CD45 immunofluorescence was observed in the 0.5% apatinib and 0.5% bevacizumab groups. Number of inflammatory cells and vessel density increased in both 0.5% apatinib and 0.5% bevacizumab groups.
Conclusions :
Instillation of topical application of apatinib could improve CNV area and index, status of inflammation, and blood and lymphatic vascularization equivalent to 0.5% bevacizumab.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.