부산대학교 도서관

OBJECTIVES: To determine expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium–derived factor, and their respective receptors in retinas using a model of retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Retinas isolated from a 50/10 oxygen (inspired oxygen cycled between 50% oxygen and 10% oxygen every 24 hours)–induced rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (50/10 OIR model), and from room air–raised rat pups (RA) at birth, age 14 days (persistent peripheral avascular retina in the 50/10 OIR model and complete retinal vascularization in RA) and age 18 days (intravitreous neovascularization in the 50/10 OIR model) were analyzed for messenger RNA of VEGF164, neuropilin 1, neuropilin 2, VEGF receptor 1, VEGF receptor 2, pigment epithelium–derived factor, and pigment epithelium–derived factor receptor by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA, fold changes in expression of VEGF164, neuropilin 1, and neuropilin 2 were significantly increased at ages 14 and 18 days. A trend for increased fold change was noted in expression of VEGF receptor 2 at age 14 days and a significant increase at age 18 days in the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA. Pigment epithelium–derived factor receptor was significantly increased at age 14 days in the 50/10 OIR model compared with RA. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of VEGF164 and angiogenic receptors were found in association with both avascular retina at day 14 and intravitreous neovascularization at day 18 in a relevant model of retinopathy of prematurity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased VEGF and angiogenic receptors may have a role in the development of peripheral avascular retina and stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity.