Seeing through VEGF: innate and adaptive immunity in pathological angiogenesis in the eye

Abstract

The central role of VEGF signaling in regulating normal vascular development and pathological angiogenesis has been documented in multiple studies. Ocular anti-VEGF therapy is highly effective for treating a subset of patients with blinding eye disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, chronic VEGF suppression can lead to adverse effects associated with poor visual outcomes due to the loss of pro-survival and neurotrophic capacities of VEGF. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence for immune-related mechanisms that regulate ocular angiogenesis in a VEGF-independent manner. These novel molecular and cellular pathways may provide potential therapeutic avenues for a multitarget strategy, preserving the neuroprotective functions of VEGF in those patients whose disease is unresponsive to VEGF neutralization.

Identification of Corneal Neovascularization–Related Long Noncoding RNAs Through Microarray Analysis

“…The change of immune response in the eye would affect its normal immune privileged state. 25,26 Based on the abovementioned evidence, it is not a surprise that lncRNA-related mRNAs are potentially involved in the regulation of CN.…”

Ranibizumab and aflibercept for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration

“…Currently, it is well demonstrated that VEGF has a central role in the pathogenesis of wet age-related macular degeneration [45]. Increased VEGF production due to many factors such as the oxidative cell stress resulted in increased vascular permeability and neovascularization [46].…”

Pharmacovigilance in Intraocular Antiangiogenic Therapy

“…Kurihara et al [51,52] in the experimental study revealed an essential role of VEGF-A in regulating choroid vasculature and cone photoreceptors, responsible for central and color vision and evidenced that VEGF inhibition causes damage and loss of endothelial cells of the choriocapillaries and severe vision loss secondary to cone cell death in mice. Sene et al [53] also emphasized the critical role of chronic VEGF suppression as a cause of the loss of prosurvival and neurotrophic capacities of VEGF ending by vision loss. Multiple experimental studies were conducted on rat [54] , rabbit [55] and primate eye [56] to evaluate bevacizumab impact on choriocapillaris.…”