The role of estrogen and estrogen receptorbeta in choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) under the age of 50 is more often observed in women than in men. The effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on choroidal neovascularization development were investigated both in animal models and cultured cells to see if estrogen receptors (ERs) are involved in the process.

Methods: CNV was induced by fundus laser photocoagulation in adult male and female rats.

Inhibitory effects of antithrombin III on interactions between blood cells and endothelial cells during retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Purpose: Infiltrating leukocytes have long been widely thought to be key mediators of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Recently, however, evidence suggests that platelets accumulating in postischemic tissues also contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury because of their inflammatory properties and promotion of formation of thrombi. This study was designed to evaluate quantitatively the inhibitory effects of antithrombin (AT)-III on the interactions between blood cells and retinal endothelial cells in vivo after transient retinal ischemia.

Inflammatory response after scatter laser photocoagulation in nonphotocoagulated retina.

Purpose: Macular edema is one of the most serious adverse effects after retinal scatter laser photocoagulation. It has been suggested that the changes in the distribution of retinal blood flow or the inflammatory reaction after photocoagulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema, but little information is available about its exact mechanism. This study was designed to evaluate quantitatively leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and vascular permeability in the nonphotocoagulated portions of the retina after partial scatter laser photocoagulation.

Targeting of interferon to choroidal neovascularization by use of dextran and metal coordination.

Purpose: Bioactive proteins such as interferon (IFN) have been reported to be combined with water-soluble polymers, such as dextran, through metal coordination, without need for complicated procedures. In the current study, the targeting and inhibitory effects of IFN combined with dextran on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were studied in vivo.

Methods: Interferon (IFN)beta was conjugated to dextran, which has metal-chelating, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) residues.