Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy Induces Changes in Growth Factor Expression in the Rat Retina

Abstract

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.

Beta-adrenergic receptor regulation of growth factor protein levels in human choroidal endothelial cells

“…Little is known about betaadrenergic receptor regulation of members of the angiopoietin family in any tissue type. The increase in Ang1 protein levels following isoproterenol in choroidal endothelial cells is in contrast to our previous work on retinal tissues indicating that loss of sympathetic signaling leads to an increase in Ang1 mRNA and protein levels (Wiley et al 2006). While they are in contrast to each other, both of these findings suggest that beta-adrenergic receptors regulate Ang1 levels in ocular tissues; however, the response appears to be tissue-specific.…”

Sympathetic Effects of Internal Carotid Nerve Manipulation on Choroidal Vascularity and Related Measures

“…As a result, they concluded that ''it is unclear whether VEGF signaling is increased in the choroid following sympathectomy.'' In another study, Wiley et al 12 found that VEGF and VEGFR-2 levels in the retina were significantly reduced after sympathectomy. Our study showed an opposite effect but in the choroid: choroidal VEGF and VEGFR-2 both increased following ICN transection.…”

“…Twenty-seven female Sprague Dawley rats, aged at postnatal day (P) 60 6 5 days, were used in this study (sex, strain, and age were chosen to be consistent with prior studies). [8][9][10][11][12][13] The first group of rats (n ¼ 20) underwent unilateral ICN surgical denervation and were euthanized after 6 weeks. Several endpoints were measured in the ipsilateral versus contralateral (control) eye after euthanasia.…”

“…Changes in expression levels of angiogenic growth factors have been reported in rat choroid and retina following SCG removal. [11][12][13] In particular, choroidal VEGF and PEDF levels rise following sympathectomy, 11 while retinal VEGF and PEDF levels fall. 12,13 These findings implicate a potential role of the ocular sympathetic system in CNV, and therefore suggest that the sympathetic nervous system may be involved in wet AMD.…”

Attenuation of Choroidal Neovascularization by β2-Adrenoreceptor Antagonism

“…First, β3-adrenoreceptor agonism stimulates elongation, migration, and proliferation of human retinal 42 and choroidal 43 EC. In addition, surgical sympathectomy in rats decreases VEGF levels 44 , while isoproterenol treatment in human ChEC increases VEGF expression 45 . These studies demonstrate that β-adrenergic receptor signaling is pro-angiogenic and drives VEGF expression, in agreement with our results.…”