Abstract
Purpose :
Purpose: Previous studies have suggested that ocular axial elongation may be caused by an equatorial production and elongation of Brunch's membrane and may be triggered by messenger molecules directed to the equatorial retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here the potential role of amphiregulin as potential messenger molecule was assessed.
Methods :
Methods:The experimental study included 78 guinea pigs (age:3-4 weeks) undergoing bilateral lens-induced myopization and receiving unilateral intraocular amphiregulin antibody (5µg,10 µg,20µg); and guinea pigs without lens-induced myopization and receiving unilaterally either intraocular amphiregulin antibody (20µg) or amphiregulin (1ng;10ng;20ng). The right eyes were study eyes; the left eyes received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injections.
Results :
Results:In animals with bilateral lens-induced myopization, the right eyes receiving amphiregulin antibody showed a reduced axial elongation in a dose-dependent manner (5µg amphiregulin antibody: side difference:0.14±0.05mm;10µg:0.22±0.06mm;20µg:0.32±0.06mm;P<0.001), a thicker sclera (all P<0.05) and higher cell density in the retinal nuclear layers and RPE (all P<0.05). In the animals without lens-induced myopia, the right eyes with amphiregulin antibody application (20µg) showed a reduced axial elongation (P=0.04), and the right eyes with amphiregulin injections experienced an increased (P=0.02) axial elongation in a dose-dependent manner (1ng:0.04±0.06mm;10ng:0.10±0.05mm;20ng:0.11±0.06mm). Eyes with lens-induced axial elongation as compared to eyes without lens-induced axial elongation revealed an increased visualization of amphiregulin upon immunohistochemistry and a higher expression of mRNA of endogenous amphiregulin and epidermal growth factor receptor, in particular in the outer part of the retinal inner nuclear layer and in the RPE.
Conclusions :
Conclusions: Amphiregulin may be associated with the process of axial elongation in young guinea pigs.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.