RhoB antibody alters retinal vascularization in models of murine retinopathy

Neovascularization in cancer or retinopathy is driven by pathological changes that foster abnormal sprouting of endothelial cells. Mouse genetic studies indicate that the stress-induced small GTPase RhoB is dispensable for normal physiology but required for pathogenic angiogenesis. In diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or age-related wet macular degeneration (AMD), progressive pathologic anatomic changes and ischemia foster neovascularization are characterized by abnormal sprouting of endothelial cells. This process is driven by the angiogenic growth factor VEGF, which induces and supports the formation of new blood vessels. While injectable biologics targeting VEGF have been used to treat these pathological conditions, many patients respond poorly, prompting interest in other types of mechanism-based therapy. Here we report the preclinical efficacy of a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets RhoB, a signaling molecule that is genetically dispensable for normal physiology but required for pathogenic retinal angiogenesis. In murine models of proliferative retinal angiogenesis or oxygen-induced retinopathy, administering a monoclonal RhoB antibody (7F7) was sufficient to block neoangiogenesis or avascular pathology, respectively. Our findings offer preclinical proof of concept for antibody targeting of RhoB to limit diabetic retinopathy, ROP or wet AMD and perhaps other diseases of neovasculogenesis such as hemangioma or hemangiosarcoma nonresponsive to existing therapies.     

内皮抑素对眼部新生血管抑制的研究进展

眼部新生血管存在于多种常见的眼病的发展过程中,对视功能危害大,是致盲的主要原因之一。包括糖尿病视网膜病变,视网膜栓塞,早产儿视网膜病变,老年性黄斑变性等眼病。由于其发病机制尚未完全清楚,因此目前仍无确切有效的药物治疗方法。内皮抑素（Endostatin,ES）是1997年首先从小鼠血管内皮瘤EOMA细胞培养上清中发现的,是胶原xⅧ的蛋白降解产物,分子质量约为20KD,为胶原xⅧc端非胶原区（NCl）内的184个氨基酸片段。ES是目前发现的最强的血管生成抑制因子,可抑制VEGF,bFGF,EGF等刺激的血管内皮细胞的增殖和迁移,诱导其凋亡,进而抑制新生血管的形成。通过抑制眼部新生血管的实验研究表明,ES是当前抗新生血管疗法中最有潜力的一种新药。本文就内皮抑素的结构特点及其对眼部新生血管的治疗研究进展作一综述。     

Deciphering primate retinal aging at single-cell resolution

Dear Editor, The retina is a light-sensitive highly-organized tissue,which is vulnerable to aging and age-related retinal diseases.Specifically,progressive retinal degeneration leads to visual function deterioration and vision impairment in the elderly(Lin et al.,2016).In diseases such as age-related macular degeneration(AMD),retinitis pigmentosa(RP)and diabetic retinopathy(DR),pathological process lacking effective treatments profoundly and negatively impact on the quality of life in the elderly(Lin et al.,2016;Chen et al.,2019).Thus,an in-depth molecular assessment of the mechanisms driv-ing retinal aging is of urgent scientific and medical importance.     

内皮抑素对眼部新生血管抑制的研究进展

眼部新生血管存在于多种常见的眼病的发展过程中,对视功能危害大,是致盲的主要原因之一。包括糖尿病视网膜病变,视网膜栓塞,早产儿视网膜病变,老年性黄斑变性等眼病。由于其发病机制尚未完全清楚,因此目前仍无确切有效的药物治疗方法。内皮抑素(Endostatin,ES)是1997年首先从小鼠血管内皮瘤EOMA细胞培养上清中发现的,是胶原XⅧ的蛋白降解产物,分子质量约为20KD,为胶原XⅧC端非胶原区(NC1)内的184个氨基酸片段。ES是目前发现的最强的血管生成抑制因子,可抑制VEGF,bFGF,EGF等刺激的血管内皮细胞的增殖和迁移,诱导其凋亡,进而抑制新生血管的形成。通过抑制眼部新生血管的实验研究表明,ES是当前抗新生血管疗法中最有潜力的一种新药。本文就内皮抑素的结构特点及其对眼部新生血管的治疗研究进展作一综述。     

Homoisoflavanone inhibits retinal neovascularization through cell cycle arrest with decrease of cdc2 expression

Neovascularization in the eye is the most common cause of blindness in all age groups; retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Despite current advances in surgical treatments, ROP remains as the most serious problem of vision loss in children. Here, we report that homoisoflavanone, a natural product from Cremastra appendiculata, significantly reduces retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of ROP. Homoisoflavanone inhibited the cell growth of HUVECs, but its cytotoxic effect was not observed in a concentration range of 1-20 microM. HUVECs population gradually increased in G2/M phase and reduced in G0/G1 and S phases after exposure to the compound. Homoisoflavanone decreased the level of cdc2 expression whereas the level of p21WAF1 expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that homoisoflavanone could inhibit retinal neovascularization and be applied in the treatment of other vasoproliferative retinopathies.     

Transforming growth factor-beta induces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major agent in choroidal and retinal neovascularization, events associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), strategically located between retina and choroid, plays a critical role in retinal disorders. We have examined the effects of various growth factors on the expression and secretion of VEGF by human retinal pigment epithelial cell cultures (HRPE). RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of three isoforms of mRNA corresponding to VEGF 121, 165, and 189 that were up regulated by TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1, beta2, and beta3 were the potent inducers of VEGF secretion by HRPE cells whereas bFGF, PDGF, TGF-alpha, and GM-CSF had no effects. TGF-beta receptor type II antibody significantly reversed induction of VEGF secretion by TGF-beta. In contrast activin, inhibin and BMP, members of TGF-beta super family, had no effects on VEGF expression in HRPE. VEGF mRNA levels and protein secretion induced by TGF-beta were significantly inhibited by SB203580 and U0126, inhibitors of MAP kinases, but not by staurosporine and PDTC, protein kinase C and NF-kappaB pathway inhibitors, respectively. TGF-beta also induced VEGF expression by fibroblasts derived from human choroid of eye. TGF-beta induction of VEGF secretion by RPE and choroid cells may play a significant role in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD. Since the secretion of VEGF by HRPE is regulated by MAP kinase pathways, MAP kinase inhibitors may have potential use as therapeutic agents for CNV in AMD.