PDE2A通过影响脉络膜血管生成和NADPH氧化酶/ROS/NF-κB通路参与年龄相关性黄斑变性

摘要 目的：探究磷酸二酯酶2A（Phosphodiesterase 2A,PDE2A）在年龄相关性黄斑变性（Age-related macular degeneration,AMD）中的可能作用及其对脉络膜新生血管（Choroidal neovascularization,CNV）形成的影响。方法：通过qRT-PCR法检测36例湿性AMD患者（AMD组）和36例健康体检者（Healthy组）的血清PDE2A水平。将恒河猴脉络膜血管内皮细胞系（RF/6A）分为Normoxia组、Hypoxia组、Hypoxia+NC组、Hypoxia+PDE2A组。使用Lipofectamine2000分别将NC-shRNA和PDE2A-shRNA慢病毒转染入Hypoxia+NC组和Hypoxia+PDE2A组,转染后,根据分组情况,在RPMI 1640培养基中添加200 mM CoCl₂来对RF/6A细胞进行低氧处理。建立了激光诱导的CNV小鼠模型后,将36只建模成功的小鼠随机分为Model组、NC-shRNA组和PDE2A-shRNA组,每组12只。选取12只未建模的小鼠作为Control组。分别对NC-shRNA组和PDE2A-shRNA组小鼠玻璃体腔注射相应慢病毒,共治疗7 d。然后对小鼠进行眼底荧光血管造影（fundus fluorescein angiography,FFA）检查和眼球HE染色。使用相应试剂盒检测小鼠脉络膜组织中ROS、SOD、MDA的含量。通过qRT-PCR或Western blot检测RF/6A细胞或脉络膜组织中PDE2A、VEGFA、VEGFR2、HIF-1α、NOX2、NOX4和NF-κB p65的表达。结果：与Healthy组相比,AMD组患者的血清PDE2A水平显著升高（1.00±0.23 vs 3.09±1.46, P<0.001）。与Hypoxia组相比,Hypoxia+PDE2A组RF/6A细胞的闭合管腔数量减少（P<0.05）,PDE2A、VEGFA、VEGFR2和HIF-1?琢的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均降低（P<0.05）。与Model组相比,PDE2A-shRNA组CNV小鼠脉络膜病变明显减轻,血管生成和脉络膜增明显减少,CNV相对荧光强度降低（P<0.05）,脉络膜组织中的PDE2A、VEGFA、VEGFR2和HIF-1α的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均降低（P<0.05）。与Model组相比,PDE2A-shRNA组小鼠脉络膜组织中的ROS和MDA含量均降低,SOD含量升高（P<0.05）。与Model组相比,PDE2A-shRNA组小鼠脉络膜组织中的NOX2、NOX4和细胞核NF-κB p65蛋白相对表达量均降低（P<0.05）。结论：PDE2A通过影响脉络膜血管生成和NADPH氧化酶/ROS/NF-κB通路参与年龄相关性黄斑变性。     

神经生长因子抗体在小鼠膝关节炎疼痛模型中的作用研究

摘要 目的：探究神经生长因子（Nerve growth factor,NGF）抗体L148M在碘乙酸（Monoiodoacetate,MIA）诱导的膝关节炎（Kee osteoarthritis,KOA）小鼠模型中的作用机制。方法：随机将8周龄C57BL/6雄性小鼠分为对照组、MIA组和L148M组。采用关节腔注射20 mg/mL MIA诱导KOA小鼠模型。手术后2周,L148M组小鼠给予腹腔注射L148M（10 mg/kg）处理。通过苏木精-伊红（HE）染色、番红O染色、OARSI评分和Micro-CT分析评估小鼠膝关节软骨及软骨下骨组织形态学变化。通过qRT-PCR检测CCR2、MCP1、MMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13、COL10、IL-1β和TNF-α的mRNA表达水平。通过Western blotting检测INOS、COX-2、Collagen II和Aggrecan的蛋白表达水平。通过免疫组织化学法分析VEGFA和Ang-1的蛋白表达水平。通过Micro-CT血管造影分析软骨下骨血管形成数量。结果：HE染色结果显示,L148M组小苏软骨细胞数和关节软骨厚度均高于MIA组。番红O染色显示,L148M组小鼠基质降解小于MIA组。L148M组OARSI评分显著低于MIA组（P<0.05）。micro-CT扫描结果表明,L148M组小鼠软骨和软骨下骨结构完整,没有明显病理损伤。qRT-PCR检测结果显示,与MIA组相比,L148M组小鼠COL10、MMP1、MMP3和MMP-13表达水平均显著降低（P<0.05）。Western blotting检测结果表明,与MIA组相比,L148M组小鼠Collagen II和Aggrecan表达水平升高,INOS和COX-2表达水平降低（P<0.05）。疼痛行为学分析显示,与MIA组相比,L148M组小鼠行进距离和机械刺激反应阈值均降低（P<0.05）。micro-CT血管造影分析显示,L148M小鼠组微血管数量和体积明显低于MIA组（P<0.05）。免疫组化检测显示,L148M组小鼠VEGFA和Ang-1蛋白表达水平均显著低于MIA组（P<0.05）。结论：L148M通过抑制软骨下骨异常血管生成,缓解关节炎症疼痛;并通过抑制炎症细胞因子表达,减轻软骨和软骨下骨病理损伤。     

基于HIF-1α-iNOS信号通路探讨瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理对糖尿病小鼠的心肌保护作用

摘要 目的：探讨瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理对糖尿病小鼠心肌的作用并分析其保护作用的机制。方法：应用高脂高糖饮食的方法构建2型糖尿病小鼠动物模型,随机分为假手术组（sham组）、缺血/再灌注组(I/R组)、缺血后处理组（IpostC组）及瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理组（RPO+IpostC组）,每组10只。分析各组小鼠低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）蛋白表达及血浆炎症因子、血清一氧化氮（NO）水平变化,观察各组小鼠心肌梗死面积、心肌组织HE染色结构变化。结果：与I/R组、IPostC组相比,RPO+IpostC组HIF-1α,iNOS蛋白表达显著上调（P<0.05）;与IpostC 组相比,RPO+ IpostC组小鼠血清NO和血浆IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平均明显降低,血浆IL-10升高（P<0.05）;经显微镜观察显示,sham组小鼠的心肌细胞HE染色结构正常,RPO+IpostC组小鼠心肌细胞HE染色后损伤相对较小;与I/R组相比,IpostC组和RPO+IpostC组小鼠缺血面积（AAR/LV）、梗死面积（IRR/AAR）均明显减小,且RPO+IpostC组小鼠AAR/LV、IRR/AAR最小（P<0.05）。结论：瑞舒伐他汀联合缺血后处理可以通过对糖尿病小鼠HIF-1α-iNOS信号通路进行调节,进而上调HIF-1α、iNOS蛋白表达,减轻炎症反应,降低心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤,保护心肌。     

IL-33/HMGB-1与胎鼠皮肤伤口的瘢痕形成的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探究IL-33/HMGB-1在胎鼠伤口愈合中的作用。方法：构建小鼠伤口愈合模型,并随机分组为注射PBS组、注射重组蛋白IL-33组和重组蛋白HMGB-1组。通过免疫组织化学、DAB和苏木精复染方法检测IL-33/HMGB-1的表达及定位;结合Axiovision软件计算MOMA-2阳性巨噬细胞、波形蛋白阳性成纤维细胞和血管密度;通过Masson''s三色染色评估伤口胶原蛋白的沉积情况和愈合情况。结果：E15和E18胎鼠未损伤皮肤的基底角质形成细胞核均呈阳性染色;与E15胎鼠相比,E18胎鼠皮肤中HMGB-1和IL-33的表达水平升高（P<0.05）。处理0 h-48 h,E15和E18胎鼠伤口边缘附近角质形成细胞的核染色呈降低,IL-33和HMGB-1表达水平均降低（P<0.05）。Masson三色染色结果显示,与PBS组相比,当采取200 ng或400 ng HMGB-1或IL-33处理,E15胎鼠伤口愈合形成疤痕的数量均显著增加（P<0.05）,且疤痕大小呈剂量依赖性增加（P<0.05）。创伤后7 d,与PBS组相比,HMGB-1和IL-33处理的E15胎鼠伤口和瘢痕中波形蛋白阳性成纤维细胞、MOMA-2阳性巨噬细胞的数量和PECAM阳性血管密度均显著升高（P<0.01）。结论：IL-33/HMGB-1可以促进胎鼠伤口瘢痕的形成,其可能机制包括对成纤维细胞的直接刺激,以及与伤口中血管生成和巨噬细胞募集增加有关。     

达格列净对高血压小鼠小动脉重构的影响及机制

摘要 目的：探究钠葡萄糖共转运蛋白2抑制剂（达格列净）对高血压小鼠小动脉重构的影响及机制。方法：30只12周龄的C57BL / 6雄性小鼠纳入本研究,根据实验目的将实验小鼠分为对照组、模型组和达格列净组。检测并比较各组小鼠心脏肥大、心脏纤维化、动脉重塑、炎症因子mRNA表达、PI3K和Akt蛋白质表达以及细胞活力和细胞迁移。结果：与对照组相比,模型组收缩压和心脏/体重增加（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组收缩压和心脏/体重降低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组RV/（LV+S）和得分增加（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组RV/（LV+S）和得分降低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组显示血管壁增厚,透明质改变,脑小动脉管腔狭窄或闭塞（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组降低高血压引起的小动脉重塑（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组IL-1β,IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA表达水平增加（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组IL-1β,IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA表达水平降低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组PI3K和Akt蛋白质表达水平增加（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组PI3K和Akt蛋白质表达水平降低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组VEZF1,Angpt-1和IGF1表达水平降低（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组VEZF1,Angpt-1和IGF1表达水平增加（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组细胞活力和细胞迁移降低（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,达格列净组细胞活力和细胞迁移增加（P<0.05）。结论：达格列净通过抑制PI3K / Akt信号通路,降低炎症反应,增加血管生成能力,降低高血压小鼠小动脉重构。     

姜黄素抑制小鼠脉络膜新生血管的实验研究

目的：观察姜黄素对激光诱导的小鼠脉络膜新生血管（choroidalneovascularization,CNV）形成的影响。方法：60只雄性C57BL／6小鼠,随机分为对照组、10mg／kg姜黄素治疗组、30mg／kg姜黄素治疗组,每组20只。采用激光诱导产生小鼠CNV模型。由光凝前3天开始,至光凝后14天,两个治疗组每天分别给予腹腔注射相应剂量的姜黄素,对照组腹腔注射二甲亚砜溶液（溶剂）。光凝后第3天通过免疫组化和ELISA检测血管内皮生长因子（vesselendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF）的表达;第14天通过组织学检查以及荧光素标记的葡聚糖的血管灌注检测CNV的面积,荧光血管造影评价CNV的渗漏程度。结果：光凝后第14天,组织学检查显示姜黄素能够有效缩小激光诱导的CNV;荧光素标记的葡聚糖血管灌注后测量色素上皮-脉络膜铺片上CNV的面积,和对照相比,姜黄素能显著减小激光诱导的CNV的面积（P〈0．05）;荧光血管造影显示姜黄素能有效抑制CNV的渗漏（P〈O．05）。和10mg／kg姜黄素治疗组相比,30mg／kg姜黄素治疗组小鼠CNV面积缩小和渗漏程度减弱（P〈0．05）。光凝后第3天,VEGF免疫组化和ELISA结果显示姜黄素显著抑制色素上皮一脉络膜复合体中VEGF（P〈0．01）的表达,高刺量组有更强的抑制作用（P〈0．01）。结论：姜黄素可以有效地抑制小鼠CNV的形成,下调VEGF的表达可能是姜黄素抑制CNV的作用机制之一。因此我们推测姜黄素对并发CNV的AMD患者可能具有治疗作用。     

丹参多酚酸盐通过调控肿瘤坏死因子促进大鼠心肌修复的机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨丹参多酚酸盐（Sal B）对大鼠损伤后心肌修复的机制。方法：构建新生大鼠心肌细胞H9c2体外缺氧/复氧（H/R）模型,并分组为空白对照组、缺氧/复氧组（模型组）、缺氧/复氧+TNF-α表达质粒组(TNF-α组)和缺氧/复氧+Sal B处理组(Sal B组)。为检测细胞迁移实验,分组为对照组、模型组、H/R+DMSO+Vector组、H/R+Sal B+Vector组、H/R+DMSO+TNF-α组和H/R+Sal B+TNF-α组。通过MTT实验检测各组H9c2细胞活力;免疫荧光检测H9c2心肌细胞中TNF-α细胞表面受体TNFR-1和TNFR-2的表达水平;Western-blot和RT-qPCR检测TNF-α的mRNA和蛋白表达水平以及血管生成蛋白表达水平的影响;Transwell实验检测Sal B对缺氧/复氧处理的H9c2细胞迁移的影响。结果：与对照组相比,模型组H9c2心肌细胞的活力显著下降（P<0.05）;与模型组相比,Sal B组中H9c2心肌细胞的活力显著升高（P<0.05）。免疫荧光检测结果显示,H9c2心肌细胞质膜上TNFR-1和TNFR2均有表达。Western-blot和RT-qPCR结果显示,与模型组相比,Sal B组中H9c2心肌细胞的TNF-α的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著升高(P<0.01),TNF-α组H9c2心肌细胞的TNF-α、Ang-2和VEGF-1蛋白的表达水平均显著升高（P<0.01）,Ang-1蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.01）。细胞迁移结果显示,与对照组相比,模型组和H/R+DMSO+Vector组H9c2细胞迁移能力显著下降（P<0.01）;与H/R组和H/R+DMSO+Vector组相比,H/R+Sal B+Vector组、H/R+DMSO+TNF-α组和H/R+Sal B+TNF-α组H9c2细胞迁移能力显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：Sal B能够通过上调TNF-α调控血管生成蛋白表达和促进H/R H9c2心肌细胞迁移,从而促进血管生成。     

糖皮质激素对小鼠急性肝衰竭的干预作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨糖皮质激素对小鼠急性肝衰竭（Acute liver failure, AHF）的干预作用。方法：通过腹腔注射D-GaIN/LPS构建AHF小鼠模型,并随机分为对照组、AHF模型组（AHF组）和糖皮质激素处理急性肝衰竭组（GCs + AHF组）。通过全自动生物化学分析仪检测小鼠血清中ALT、AST、TBA、TBIL、DBIL水平;采用ELISA试剂盒测定小鼠血清中IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6水平;通过定量PCR检测mRNA表达水平;苏木精-伊红（H&E）染色检测肝组织病理学情况;免疫组织化学检测肝组织中SOX9表达水平;蛋白质印迹检测Hedgehog信号通路关键蛋白因子的表达水平。结果：与对照组相比,AHF组小鼠血清ALT、AST、TBA、TBIL、DBIL、MDA、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平显著升高,SOD、GSH和CAT活性水平显著降低（P＜0.01）;与AHF组相比,GCs+AHF组小鼠血清中ALT、AST、TBA、TBIL、DBIL、MDA、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平显著降低,SOD、GSH和CAT活性水平显著升高（P＜0.01）。H&E染色结果显示,对照组小鼠的肝脏切片显示正常的细胞结构,AHF组小鼠出现广泛的细胞坏死和炎性细胞浸润;与AHF组相比,GCs + AHF组小鼠中细胞坏死和炎性细胞浸润等病理变化显著减弱。免疫组织化学结果显示：与对照组相比,AHF小鼠肝脏中SOX9的表达水平显著升高（P＜0.01）;与AHF组相比,GCs+AHF组小鼠肝脏中SOX9的表达水平显著降低（P＜0.01）。Western blotting结果显示,与对照组相比,AHF组小鼠的Hedgehog通路关键蛋白因子Shh、Ptch-1和Gli-1蛋白表达水平显著升高（P<0.01）;与AHF组相比,GCs+AHF组的Shh、Ptch-1和Gli-1蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.01）。结论：GCs可有效改善AHF小鼠肝功能指标,降低炎性因子表达,提高急性肝衰竭小鼠抗氧化能力,并使Hedgehog通路关键蛋白因子表达恢复正常。     

白藜芦醇对脊髓损伤小鼠神经元凋亡及Fas/FasL等凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响

摘要 目的：研究白藜芦醇对脊髓损伤（Spinal cord injury, SCI）小鼠脊髓组织神经元凋亡和凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响。方法：21只雌性C57BL/6小鼠,6-8周龄,随机分为三组：Sham组（假手术对照组）,SCI组（脊髓损伤模型）和Resveratrol组（白藜芦醇治疗的脊髓损伤模型）,每组7只。通过Basso小鼠量表（BMS）评估小鼠后肢运动功能、HE染色评估小鼠脊髓病变面积、尼氏染色检测脊髓组织神经元数目、TUNEL染色检测凋亡细胞数目。通过酶联免疫试剂盒检测脊髓组织髓过氧化物酶（myeloperoxidase,MPO）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）、白细胞介素（interleukin, IL）-6和IL-8蛋白表达水平。通过免疫印迹法检测脊髓组织凋亡相关蛋白Fas、FasL、caspase 3和caspase 8表达水平。结果：与Sham组小鼠相比,SCI模型小鼠脊髓组织病变面积和MPO活性均显著增加（P<0.05）,但经白芦藜醇治疗后的Resveratrol组SCI小鼠脊髓组织病变面积和MPO活性较SCI组小鼠显著降低（P<0.05）。与Sham组小鼠相比,SCI模型小鼠BMS评分显著降低（P<0.05）,但经白芦藜醇治疗后的Resveratrol组SCI小鼠BMS评分较SCI组小鼠显著升高（P<0.05）。与Sham组小鼠相比,SCI模型小鼠脊髓组织神经元丢失和凋亡均显著增加（P<0.05）,但经白芦藜醇治疗后的Resveratrol组SCI小鼠脊髓组织病神经元丢失和凋亡较SCI组小鼠显著降低（P<0.05）。与Sham组小鼠相比,SCI模型小鼠脊髓组织Fas、FasL、caspase 3、caspase 8、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P<0.05）,但经白芦藜醇治疗后均显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：白芦藜醇可显著降低脊髓损伤小鼠脊髓组织神经元凋亡,其机制可能与抑制脊髓损伤小鼠脊髓组织炎症和炎症引起的凋亡蛋白表达有关。     

右美托咪啶通过抑制NADPH氧化酶2缓解氧化应激小鼠模型神经元的毒性和认知障碍的机制

摘要 目的：探讨右美托咪啶通过抑制NADPH氧化酶2缓解氧化应激小鼠模型神经元的毒性和认知障碍的机制。方法：10只野生型以及20只Sod1KO雄性BALB/c小鼠,12月龄,根据实验目的分为3组：对照组（野生型小鼠）,模型组（氧化应激小鼠模型）和DEX组（氧化应激小鼠模型+50 μg/kg DEX治疗）,每组10只。通过MWM 测试检测小鼠的空间学习和记忆能力。通过免疫染色检测海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平。通过蛋白质印迹检测海马中Neu-N、PSD-95、TH、总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平。通过ROS、MDA和SOD检测试剂盒分别检测ROS、MDA和SOD水平。通过 ELISA试剂盒检测NOX2水平。通过RT-qPCR检测IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平。结果：对照小鼠表现出正常的空间学习功能,与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期和游泳距离增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期和游泳距离（P<0.05）。三组小鼠平均游泳速度没有统计性差异（P>0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠小鼠海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平降低（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够增加小鼠海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠小鼠海马中Neu-N、PSD-95和TH蛋白表达水平降低（P<0.05）,总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够增加小鼠海马中Neu-N、PSD-95和TH蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）,降低总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠ROS和MDA水平增加,SOD水平降低（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低ROS和MDA水平,增加SOD水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠NOX2水平增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低NOX2水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平（P<0.05）。结论：DEX对NOX2的抑制可通过抑制小鼠模型中的氧化应激和神经炎症来阻断学习和记忆障碍以及海马神经变性。     

Establishing a mouse model of choroidal neovascularization to study the therapeutic effect of levotinib and its mechanism

ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic effect and mechanism of levotinib on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice.Methods45 healthy C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into three groups: control group (group A), model group (group B) and levotinib group (group C). The model of CNV in mice was established. The fluorescence leakage of choroidal lesions in mice was observed by fundus fluorescein angiography. The morphological changes of retinal vessels in mice were observed by retinal slice preparation, the pathological changes of eyeball tissues in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mice retina was detected by real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR, and the protein expression of VEGF in mice retina was detected by Western blotting.ResultOn the 7th, 14th and 21st day after modeling, compared with group B, the fluorescence leakage area of group C mice was significantly reduced, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The morphology of retinal vessels in group A was normal. In group B, the retinal vessels showed large areas of ischemia without perfusion and abundant neovascularization clusters and capillaries. Compared with group B, the morphology of retinal vessels in group C was significantly improved. Group A mice had normal eyeball structure, group B mice had visible spindle-like damage to the inner and outer retina, while group C mice had significantly less spindle-like damage than group B. Compared with group A, group B mice had significantly higher expression of retinal VEGF and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), but compared with group B mice, the expression of VEGF in the retina of mice in group C was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with group A, the expression of VEGF in retina of group B mice was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with group B, the expression of VEGF in retina of group C mice was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionLevatinib has obvious therapeutic effect on CNV, which may be achieved by inhibiting the high expression of VEGF in CNV.     

An animal model of age-related macular degeneration in senescent Ccl-2- or Ccr-2-deficient mice

The study and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness, has been hampered by a lack of animal models. Here we report that mice deficient either in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Ccl-2; also known as MCP-1) or its cognate C-C chemokine receptor-2 (Ccr-2) develop cardinal features of AMD, including accumulation of lipofuscin in and drusen beneath the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), photoreceptor atrophy and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Complement and IgG deposition in RPE and choroid accompanies senescence in this model, as in human AMD. RPE or choroidal endothelial production of Ccl-2 induced by complement C5a and IgG may mediate choroidal macrophage infiltration into aged wild-type choroids. Wild-type choroidal macrophages degrade C5 and IgG in eye sections of Ccl2(-/-) or Ccr2(-/-) mice. Impaired macrophage recruitment may allow accumulation of C5a and IgG, which induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by RPE, possibly mediating development of CNV. These models implicate macrophage dysfunction in AMD pathogenesis and may be useful as a platform for validating therapies.     

NLRP3 has a protective role in age-related macular degeneration through the induction of IL-18 by drusen components

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central vision loss worldwide. Drusen accumulation is the major pathological hallmark common to both dry and wet AMD. Although activation of the immune system has been implicated in disease progression, the pathways involved are unclear. Here we show that drusen isolated from donor AMD eyes activates the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, causing secretion of interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and IL-18. Drusen component C1Q also activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, the oxidative-stress-related protein-modification carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP), a biomarker of AMD, primes the inflammasome. We found cleaved caspase-1 and NLRP3 in activated macrophages in the retinas of mice immunized with CEP-adducted mouse serum albumin, modeling a dry-AMD–like pathology. We show that laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a mouse model of wet AMD, is exacerbated in Nlrp3(-/-) but not Il1r1(-/-) mice, directly implicating IL-18 in the regulation of CNV development. These findings indicate a protective role for NLRP3 and IL-18 in the progression of AMD.     

Low-dose lipopolysaccharide pretreatment suppresses choroidal neovascularization via IL-10 induction

Recent studies have suggested that some kinds of microbial infection may have a crucial role in the development of many diseases such as autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer. It has been reported that some chronic infections, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, and immunological dysfunctions are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. To evaluate the association between systemic low-level inflammation induced by infection and AMD pathogenesis, we investigated whether intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can modulate the development of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a key feature of AMD. Contrary to our expectations, the sizes of CNV in mice with LPS pretreatment were approximately 65% smaller than those of the control mice. After LPS pretreatment, serum IL-10 concentration and IL-10 gene expression in peritoneal macrophages and in the posterior part of the eye increased. Peritoneal injection of anti-IL10 antibody reduced CNV suppression by LPS pretreatment. Moreover, adoptive transfer of the resident peritoneal macrophages from LPS-treated mice into control littermates resulted in an approximately 26% reduction in the size of CNV compared with PBS-treated mice. We concluded that CNV formation was suppressed by low-dose LPS pretreatment via IL-10 production by macrophages.     

雷珠单抗联合复方血栓通胶囊对年龄相关性黄斑变性患者血液流变学和血清VEGF、PDGF的影响

摘要 目的：观察雷珠单抗联合复方血栓通胶囊对年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）患者血液流变学和血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、血小板衍生生长因子（PDGF）的影响。方法：选取我院2019年6月~2021年1月收治的AMD患者60例（96眼）,按照随机数字表法分别为对照组（n=30,46眼）和实验组（n=30,50眼）,对照组给予雷珠单抗治疗,实验组给予雷珠单抗联合复方血栓通胶囊治疗,对比两组眼部相关指标、血液流变学指标和血清VEGF、PDGF水平变化情况,观察两组治疗期间不良反应发生情况。结果：实验组治疗3个月后眼内压（IOP）、黄斑中央区厚度（CMT）、脉络新生血管（CNV）面积低于对照组,视力高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗3个月后全血低切/中切/高切黏度、血浆黏度低于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗3个月后血清VEGF、PDGF水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：雷珠单抗联合复方血栓通胶囊可改善AMD临床症状,促进视力恢复,其作用机制可能与调节机体血液流变学、血清VEGF、PDGF水平有关。     

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced mouse model of choroidal neovascularization

In this study, we describe a new method for inducing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in C57BL/6 mice, an animal model of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disease that causes central blindness in humans. We injected PEG-8 subretinally in different doses (0.125-2 mg) to induce CNV. After PEG-8 injection, we examined CNV at several time points (days 3-42). We also used Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA to examine the complement component C3 split products, C9, VEGF, TGF-β2, and basic FGF. As early as day 1 after treatment, we found that a single subretinal injection of 1 mg of PEG-8 increased the C3 split products and the C9, TGF-β2, and basic FGF levels in the retinal pigment epithelium-choroid tissue. By day 3 after PEG-8 injection, the intraocular activation of the complement system caused induction and progression of CNV, including new vessels penetrating the Bruch's membrane. At day 5 after PEG-8 injection, we observed a fully developed CNV and retinal degeneration. Thus, in this study, we present a new, inexpensive, and accelerated mouse model of CNV that may be useful to study AMD.     

Resveratrol prevents the development of choroidal neovascularization by modulating AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages and other cell types

The development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a critical step in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a vision-threatening disease. In this study, we used a mouse model of AMD to study the protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) supplementation against CNV as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mice were orally pretreated with RSV daily for 5 days. On the fifth day, the mice underwent laser photocoagulation to induce CNV. One week after laser treatment, CNV volume was significantly lower in the RSV-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated animals. In addition, RSV treatment significantly inhibited macrophage infiltration into the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid and suppressed the expression of inflammatory and angiogenic molecules, including vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Importantly, RSV prevented the CNV-induced decrease in activated AMP-activated protein kinase and increase in activated nuclear factor-κB in the RPE-choroid complex. The regulatory effects of RSV on these molecules were confirmed in RPE, microvascular endothelial and macrophage cell lines. Inhibition of macrophage infiltration by RSV was confirmed by in vitro scratch and migration assays. RSV suppressed CNV development, reducing the levels of multiple cytokines secreted from several cell types and inhibiting macrophage migration. The direct effects of RSV on each cell type were confirmed in vitro. Although further studies are needed, RSV could potentially be applied in the clinic to prevent CNV development in AMD.