Pharmacologic uncoupling of angiogenesis and inflammation during initiation of pathological corneal neovascularization.

ABSTRACT: Pathological neovascularization occurs when a balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors is disrupted, accompanied by an amplifying inflammatory cascade. However, the interdependence of these responses and the mechanism triggering the initial angiogenic switch have remained unclear. We present data from an epithelial debridement model of corneal neovascularization describing an initial 3-day period when a substantial component of neovascular growth occurs. Administration of selective inhibitors shows that this initial growth requires signaling through VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2), independent of the accompanying inflammatory response. Instead, increased VEGF production is found prominently in repair epithelial cells and is increased prior to recruitment of neutr

SUBMITTER: Sivak JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3248015 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature