Intravitreal aflibercept protects photoreceptors of mice against excessive light exposure.

Our previous studies found that an anti-placental growth factor (PlGF) antibody protected the retina in light-induced retinal damage model, a model of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aflibercept is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and PlGF. In present study, we revealed that the intravitreal injection of aflibercept lessens light-induced retinal damage, while anti-VEGF antibody has no effect on the light-exposed retina.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB Lessens Light-Induced Rod Photoreceptor Damage in Mice.

Purpose: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is known to have neuroprotective effects against various neurodegenerative disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PDGF-BB can be neuroprotective against light-induced photoreceptor damage in mice.

Methods: Mice were exposed to 8000-lux luminance for 3 hours to induce phototoxicity.

Both Autocrine Signaling and Paracrine Signaling of HB-EGF Enhance Ocular Neovascularization.

Objective: The incidence of blindness is increasing because of the increase in abnormal ocular neovascularization. Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapies have led to good results, although they are not a cure for the blindness. The purpose of this study was to determine what role HB-EGF (heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor) plays in ocular angiogenesis.

Toll-like receptor 4 inhibitor protects against retinal ganglion cell damage induced by optic nerve crush in mice.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays key roles in innate immune responses and inflammatory reactions. TAK-242 (resatorvid) is a small-molecule cyclohexene derivative that selectively inhibits TLR4 signaling pathways and suppresses inflammatory reactions. Here we investigated the protective effects of TAK-242 against optic nerve crush (ONC) which induces axonal injury like glaucoma in mice.

Astaxanthin Protects Against Retinal Damage: Evidence from In Vivo and In Vitro Retinal Ischemia and Reperfusion Models.

Purpose: Astaxanthin exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory effects, and is thought to exert a neuroprotective effect via these mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of astaxanthin on neuronal cell death using a retinal ischemia/reperfusion model.

Methods: In vivo, retinal ischemia was induced by 5 h unilateral ligation of the pterygopalatine artery (PPA) and the external carotid artery (ECA) in ddY mice.

Protective effects of NSP-116, a novel imidazolyl aniline derivative, against light-induced retinal damage in vitro and in vivo.

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of NSP-116 [4-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl) aniline], a novel imidazolyl aniline derivative, against light-induced photoreceptor cell damage. In an in vitro experiment, murine photoreceptor (661W) cells were damaged by exposure to light for 24h. Viability of 661W cells after light exposure was assessed by Hoechst 33342/Propidium iodide nuclear staining and a tetrazolium salt (WST-8) assay.

Progranulin promotes the retinal precursor cell proliferation and the photoreceptor differentiation in the mouse retina.

Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted growth factor associated with embryo development, tissue repair, and inflammation. In a previous study, we showed that adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) is rich in PGRN. In the present study, we investigated whether PGRN is associated with retinal regeneration in the mammalian retina.

Protective Effects of Antiplacental Growth Factor Antibody Against Light-Induced Retinal Damage in Mice.

Purpose: Placental growth factor (PlGF) is part of the VEGF family and is known to be involved in angiogenesis, vasopermeability, and neuroprotection. Recently, PlGF has been reported as a novel therapeutic target for wet AMD. However, there are few reports about the effect of PlGF against dry AMD.