Heparanase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression is increased in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization

Jie Hu*, Xin Song, Yi Qing He, Craig Freeman, Christopher R. Parish, Ling Yuan, Honghua Yu, Shibo Tang

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    PURPOSE. Heparanase and VEGF are related closely to angiogenesis in cancer. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the expression and correlation of heparanase and VEGF in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization. METHODS. C57BL/6 oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs) were treated with the hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2), and in the presence of the heparanase inhibitor phosphomannopentaose sulfate (Muparfostat, PI-88). Heparanase activity was assayed in HRECs, and the expression of heparanase, VEGF protein and mRNA were evaluated by immunofluorescence, ELISA, Western blot, and real-time PCR while retinal flat mounts were used to evaluate the area of neovascularization of mice retina. RESULTS. HREC heparanase activity was increased by treatment with CoCl2, but was decreased by PI-88. Immunofluorescence showed that heparanase and VEGF staining was intense in hypoxia-treated HRECs and OIR mice retina, while VEGF staining was faint in the normoxia and PI-88-treated ones. Western blot and real-time PCR results indicated that the expression of heparanase and VEGF was increased under hypoxic conditions, and the increase of VEGF was inhibited by PI-88. Retinal flat mounts showed that the area of new vessels in retina of OIR mice was increased compared to the normoxic mice, and this effect was inhibited by PI-88. CONCLUSIONS. Heparanase is upregulated and associated with the VEGF expression in hypoxia-induced retinal diseases. Heparanase is involved in hypoxia-induced neovascularization through promoting VEGF expression and may be a new therapeutic target for hypoxia-induced neovascularization retinal diseases.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)6810-6817
    Number of pages8
    JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
    Volume53
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Heparanase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression is increased in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this