Superior cervical ganglionectomy induces changes in growth factor expression in the rat retina.
PURPOSE: To determine whether sympathetic nerves regulate expression of known angiogenic growth factors. METHODS: Surgical sympathectomy (SNX) was used to remove sympathetic innervation to the eye. Real-time PCR was used to measure steady state mRNA expression of VEGF, VEGFR-2, angiopoietin-1, and Tie2. Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein expression. Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability surface area product (PS) was measured using enhanced MRI on a separate group of control and SNX rats. RESULTS: mRNA of both VEGF and VEGFR-2 decreased significantly at 6 weeks after SNX. VEGF protein expression also decreased significantly. VEGFR-2 protein was unchanged. Both angiopoietin-1 and Tie2 mRNA expression increased significantly after SNX. Immunoblot analysis showed that angiopoietin-1 protein expression coincided with its mRNA expression. Tie2 protein expression was unaffected. Sympathetic denervation did not significantly increase BRB PS. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical SNX results in a reduction in VEGF gene and protein expression, while increasing protein expression of Ang-1. These findings suggest that sympathetic nerves regulate the expression of angiogenic growth factors in rat retina.[1]References
- Superior cervical ganglionectomy induces changes in growth factor expression in the rat retina. Wiley, L.A., Berkowitz, B.A., Steinle, J.J. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. (2006) [Pubmed]
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