Exploring the role of VEGF in Indian Age related macular degeneration

Abstract

BackgroundAge related macular degeneration (AMD) is major devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive irreversible vision loss in the elderly persons. In spite of several genetic and environmental factors, the role of VEGF and CFH predispose the pathological phenomenon in the AMD patients.PurposeThe aim of the study was to estimate the VEGF levels in the serum of AMD patients and its correlation with co-morbidity of the participants.MethodsThe study recruited the 98 AMD patients and 59 controls with proper consent of the participants as per the exclusion-inclusion criteria. The co-morbidity and socio-economic details were obtained by introducing the standard questionnaire amongst the participants. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was estimated by ELISA and compared with the control population of the study. The levels of VEGF in the serum of AMD patients and controls were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. Kruskal Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze more than two variables in the study.ResultsElevated level of VEGF was found in AMD patients as compared to controls. Surprisingly, we did not find significant changes among wet AMD subtypes i.e. minimal, predominant and classic wet AMD. However, we have demonstrated the intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment (avastin) in AMD patients could reduce the systemic VEGF levels although it was not significant. Moreover, the heart ailment in the AMD patients could also influence the VEGF levels.ConclusionOur study is consistent with previous studies describing the imperative significance of VEGF in AMD pathology. However, our study did not reveal the role of VEGF in wet AMD progression but it is well established causative agent for the same. The increased levels of VEGF in heart ailment among AMD patients are significant.

CCL2 single nucleotide polymorphism of rs1024611 implicates prominence of inflammatory cascade by univariate modeling in Indian AMD

“…Moreover, it has also been explored that CCL2 expression could also regulate the angiogenic process by affecting VEGF and its associated molecules with the involvement of Ets -1 transcription factor [ 14 ]. Similarly, our findings with VEGF [ 15 ] and its receptor i.e. VEGFR2 have been found to be associated with AMD pathology and the expression levels of both proteins were significantly high in AMD patients as compared to age matched controls [ 16 ].…”

Serum Levels of TIMP-3, LIPC, IER3, and SLC16A8 in CFH-Negative AMD Cases

“…AMD is heterogenic disease and represents the genetic as well as environmental complexity [Anand et al, ]. We have earlier reported the role of angiogenesis [Sharma et al,, ] as well as the role of chemokine and its receptor in AMD pathology in Indian population [Anand et al, ]. TIMP‐3, being involved in ECM remodeling and sprouting of new blood vessels in AMD progression, is also described in various genetic [Chen et al, ; Warwick et al, ] and histological studies [Kamei and Hollyfield, ; Leu et al, ] on AMD patients revealing its role in pathology.…”

“…Moreover, these blood vessels could even release their fluid contents in between the space which can create haemorrhage like conditions. Neovascularization (new blood vessels formation) is well controlled process which is regulated though genes that regulate mechanisms involved in angiogenesis (MMPs and TIMP ‐3) and its associated receptors [Sharma et al, , ]. Remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is imperative process in neovascularization.…”

Quercetin Mitigates Inflammatory Responses Induced by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Mouse Retinal Photoreceptor Cells through Suppression of Nuclear Factor Kappa B

“…Vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of proliferative vascularization. Increase of VEGF level is a common feature in patients and experimental animal models with ocular neovascular diseases including diabetic retinopathy and AMD [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, VEGF not only regulates angiogenesis but also induces inflammatory response [ 8 ].…”