OCTA quantitative assessment of exercise-induced variations and recovery in retinal microvasculature of healthy subjects with or without masks.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of exercise and mask-wearing on retinal microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: A total of 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled and tasked with physical exercise to reach 75-80 % maximum heart rates. Swept-source OCTA was performed on the macular region and optic nerve head (ONH) in participants with no mask, surgical mask, or N95 mask at quiescent conditions (Step 1) and 0 min, 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min post-exercise (Steps 2-5, respectively).

Sema4D Knockout Attenuates Choroidal Neovascularization by Inhibiting M2 Macrophage Polarization Via Regulation of the RhoA/ROCK Pathway.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Sema4D in the pathogenesis of senescence-associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and to explore its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: In this study, we utilized a model of laser-induced CNV in both young (3 months old) and old (18 months old) mice, including those with or without Sema4D knockout. The expression and localization of Sema4D in CNV were assessed using PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining.

Presence of CoV-2 antibody in vitreous humor after Cov-2 infection.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a life-threatening disease with largely unknown intraocular pathogenesis. Herein, we determined the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) and virus-associated antibodies in the vitreous humor of people who have recently recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Design: This cross-sectional study included 33 patients (33 eyes) who have recently recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Acrizanib as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Fundus Neovascularization via Inhibitory Phosphorylation of VEGFR2.

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of acrizanib, a small molecule inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), on physiological angiogenesis and pathological neovascularization in the eye and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: We investigated the potential role of acrizanib in physiological angiogenesis using C57BL/6J newborn mice, and pathological angiogenesis using the mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as an in vitro model for studying the molecular mechanism underlying acrizanib's antiangiogenic effects.

Therapeutic Benefit of Melatonin in Choroidal Neovascularization During Aging Through the Regulation of Senescent Macrophage/Microglia Polarization.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the age-dependent anti-angiogenic capability of melatonin in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: In the present study, a laser-induced CNV model was established in both young (three months of age) and old (18 months of age) mice, and the size of CNV lesions and vascular leakage was detected by morphological and imaging examination. Next, Western blot and immunostaining were used to observe the levels of M2 markers, senescence-related markers, and molecules involved in IL-10/STAT3 pathway.

In Situ Formation of Injectable Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Hydrogels for Effective Intraocular Delivery of Triamcinolone Acetonide.

A novel drug delivery system designed for intraocular injection, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), has attracted much attention due to its sustained-release character and low cytotoxicity. We aimed to explore the sustained drug effect of GelMA hydrogels coupled with triamcinolone acetonide (TA) after injection into the vitreous cavity. The GelMA hydrogel formulations were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, swelling measurements, biodegradation, and release studies.

Apolipoprotein A1 suppresses the hypoxia-induced angiogenesis of human retinal endothelial cells by targeting PlGF.

Aim: To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) on primary human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRECs) and explore the possible mechanism.

Methods: The primary HRECs were transfected with apoA1-GFP recombinant lentiviral and were compared with cells undergoing transfection with empty lentiviral vectors. Hypoxia chambers were used to simulate the anoxic environment of cells under pathological condition.

miR-429 negatively regulates the progression of hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization by the HPSE-VEGF pathway.

Heparanase (HPSE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are believed to play a vital role in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization (RNV). HPSE is a target gene of miR-429. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of the miR-429-HPSE-VEGF pathway on hypoxia-induced RNV.

Oxidative stress-induced KLF4 activates inflammatory response through IL17RA and its downstream targets in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and genetics are considered the key pathogenic factors contributing to AMD development. Recent evidence shows the pro-inflammatory interleukin 17 (IL17) signaling is activated in AMD patients and promotes disease pathogenesis.

Comparison between non-visualized polyps and visualized polyps on optical coherence tomography angiography in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: To determine the underlying reasons for the non-visualization of polyps on en face optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive treatment-naïve 30 eyes with active PCV was included. Results of fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and en face OCTA were analyzed.

Mutation Spectrum of the LRP5, NDP, and TSPAN12 Genes in Chinese Patients With Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: LRP5, NDP, and TSPAN12 are known to be associated with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). In this study, a comprehensive mutation screening for the three genes was performed in patients with a clinical diagnosis of FEVR in Han Chinese.

Methods: Genomic DNA and clinical data were collected from 100 probands and their family members.

Combinatorial treatment with topical NSAIDs and anti-VEGF for age-related macular degeneration, a meta-analysis.

Inflammation is a key pathogenic factor in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the clinical importance of combining anti-VEGF agents and topical NSAIDs to reduce inflammation remains unclear. In this study, we systematically reviewed clinical trials comparing combined treatment versus anti-VEGF alone in AMD patients.

CLINICAL FEATURES OF AFFECTED AND UNDETACHED FELLOW EYES IN PATIENTS WITH FEVR-ASSOCIATED RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

Purpose: To report the clinical characteristics of the affected and fellow eyes in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy-associated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (FEVR-RRD).

Methods: This was a retrospective observational case series. The affected and fellow eyes were given complete examinations.

Novel mutations in FZD4 and phenotype-genotype correlation in Chinese patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To identify novel mutations in the frizzled 4 (FZD4) gene in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) in southern China and to delineate the mutation-associated clinical manifestations.

Methods: Clinical data and genomic DNA were collected from 100 probands and their family members. The coding regions of FZD4 were screened for mutations with PCR and Sanger sequencing.

Macrophage polarization in experimental and clinical choroidal neovascularization.

Macrophages play an important role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, the spatial and temporal changes and the polarization of macrophages in murine laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were investigated, and the polarized M1 and M2 biomarkers in the aqueous humors of neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients were studied. Macrophages, the main infiltrating inflammatory cells in CNV lesions, were evidenced by a significant increase in F4/80 mRNA expression and by the infiltration of F4/80+ cells in the lesions and the vicinity of laser-induced CNV.

Aqueous humor cytokine profiling in patients with wet AMD.

Purpose: To investigate the chemokine expression profiles in the aqueous humor of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) patients and to correlate their levels with clinical findings.

Methods: Undiluted aqueous humor samples (100-200 μl) were obtained from 16 wet AMD eyes and 12 control eyes. Forty chemokines were measured using a multiplex method.

Combined Persistent Fetal Vasculature: A Classification Based on High-Resolution B-Mode Ultrasound and Color Doppler Imaging.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to classify combined persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) on the basis of the ultrasonographic and Doppler characteristics. The potential clinical significance for both surgery design and prognosis determination was discussed.

Design: A cross-sectional case series.

Protective effects of SS31 on t‑BHP induced oxidative damage in 661W cells.

The present study aimed to investigate the ability of SS31, a novel mitochondria‑targeted peptide to protect against t‑BHP‑induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in 661W cell lines. The 661W cells were treated with various concentrations of SS‑31 and an MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. The expression of nitrotyrosine and 8‑hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‑OHdG) was detected using immunofluorescent staining.

Ultrasonographic feature of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous.

Purpose: To observe the ultrasonographic features of patients with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV).

Methods: Thirty-two subjects (34 eyes) diagnosed with PHPV were evaluated by ultrasonography.

Results: The ultrasonography demonstrated a retrolental mass extending from the optic disc to the posterior lens capsule, manifested as band, regular triangle, or inverted triangle shapes.

Posterior pole retinal abnormalities in mild asymptomatic FEVR.

Purpose: To describe the posterior retinal abnormalities in asymptomatic mild familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) individuals who are normal in conventional clinical examination.

Methods: Thirty-eight asymptomatic mild FEVR individuals (38 eyes) and 38 controls (38 eyes) were included in this cross-sectional study. The posterior retinas in each individual appeared normal.

Interleukin-4 and melatonin ameliorate high glucose and interleukin-1β stimulated inflammatory reaction in human retinal endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of two immune regulatory factors, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and melatonin, on several inflammatory mediators that are involved in inflammation and angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy (DR), in high glucose or interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced primary human retinal endothelial cells (RECs) and human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

Methods: Human RECs and RPE cells were cultured in 30 mM D-glucose or 10 ng/ml IL-1β, with or without the presence of 40 ng/ml IL-4 or 100 μM melatonin. The mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2), and matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) were measured using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

The influence of high glucose on the Cip/Kip family expression profiles in HRECs.

Neovascularization is the main characteristic of the proliferative stage of diabetic retinopathy. It has been proven that cell cycle regulation is involved in angiogenesis. The cell cycle regulators, Cip/Kip protein family, belong to the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, are versatile proteins, and except for their function in cell cycle regulation, they also participate in transcription, apoptosis and migration.

Low serum apolipoprotein A1/B ratio is associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.

Background: The association between lipids and diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear. Only a few studies have reported the association between proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and the serum concentrations of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). So we investigated the lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients of long duration with very mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or PDR.