Blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 prevents inflammation and vascular leakage in diabetic retinopathy.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in working age adults. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) blockade on the complications of DR. Experimental models of diabetes were induced with streptozotocin (STZ) treatment or Insulin2 gene mutation (Akita) in mice. Protein expression and localization were examined by western blots (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF). mRNA expression was quantified by PCR array and real-time PCR. The activity of VEGFR1 signaling was blocked by a neutralizing antibody called MF1. Vascular leakage was evaluated by measuring the leakage of [(3)H]-mannitol tracer into the retina and the IF staining of albumin. VEGFR1 blockade significantly inhibited diabetes-related vascula

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4363713 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature