Levodopa Suppresses Choroidal Neovascularization Through a Tyrosinase-Dependent Dual Mechanism.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Levodopa (L-DOPA), a precursor for melanin and dopamine, has been linked to reduced intravitreal injection burden and delayed onset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Further, L-DOPA and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) agonists inhibit laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). However, the contributions of endogenous versus exogenous L-DOPA signaling, their effects in alternative CNV models, and the contributions of DRD2 versus GPR143, the receptor for L-DOPA, signaling remain unresolved.

Methods

Choroidal sprouting assays (CSA) were performed using wild-type (WT) and tyrosinase-mutant (Tyr-/-) mice with and without dopamine pathway agonists and antagonists. CNV number and area were measured in pigmented Vldlr-/- and albino Vldlr-/-Tyr-/- mice

SUBMITTER: Veernala I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12798749 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature