Transcriptomic Characterization of Human Choroidal Neovascular Membranes Identifies Calprotectin as a Novel Biomarker for Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Recent studies deciphering the transcriptional profile of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in body donor eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration are limited by the time span from death to preservation and the associated 5'-RNA degradation. This study therefore used CNV and control specimens that were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded immediately after surgical extraction and analyzed them by a 3'-RNA sequencing approach. Transcriptome profiles were analyzed to estimate content of immune and stromal cells and to define disease-associated gene signatures by using statistical and bioinformatics methods.

[Treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion - Is There Still a Role for Vitreoretinal Surgery?].

Surgical manoeuvres for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion peaked at the turn of the century. The first overwhelming reports could not be confirmed in prospective studies. Furthermore, the functional success was never comparable to intravitreal drug therapy, and the manoeuvres are no longer used in clinical routine.

Increased expression of angiogenic and inflammatory proteins in the vitreous of patients with ischemic central retinal vein occlusion.

Background: Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a common disease characterized by a disrupted retinal blood supply and a high risk of subsequent vision loss due to retinal edema and neovascular disease. This study was designed to assess the concentrations of selected signaling proteins in the vitreous and blood of patients with ischemic CRVO.

Methods: Vitreous and blood samples were collected from patients undergoing surgery for ischemic CRVO (radial optic neurotomy (RON), n = 13), epiretinal gliosis or macular hole (control group, n = 13).

Choroidal neovascularization reduced by targeted drug delivery with cationic liposome-encapsulated paclitaxel or targeted photodynamic therapy with verteporfin encapsulated in cationic liposomes.

Purpose: Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) application has revolutionized the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a hallmark of wet age-related macular degeneration. However, additional treatment options are desirable as not all CNV lesions respond to anti-VEGF injections. Here, we assessed the feasibility of targeted delivery of cationic liposome-encapsulated paclitaxel (EndoTAG-1) in treating CNV.

In vivo imaging of choroidal angiogenesis using fluorescence-labeled cationic liposomes.

Purpose: Precise monitoring of active angiogenesis in neovascular eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) enables sensitive use of antiangiogenic drugs and reduces adverse side effects. So far, no in vivo imaging methods are available to specifically label active angiogenesis. Here, we report such a technique using fluorophore-labeled cationic liposomes (CL) detected with a standard clinical in vivo scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO).

Levels of VEGF but not VEGF(165b) are increased in the vitreous of patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To determine the concentration of the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF(165) (VEGF) and the anti-angiogenic VEGF(165b) in vitreous samples of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in comparison to patients without retinal occlusive disease.

Design: Experimental laboratory investigation.

Methods: Vitreous samples were collected from patients undergoing surgery for arteriovenous dissection after BRVO, radial optic neurotomy after CRVO in the occlusion group, or macular pucker or macular hole in the control group.

Safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema (RESOLVE Study): a 12-month, randomized, controlled, double-masked, multicenter phase II study.

Objective: The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is elevated in diabetic macular edema (DME). Ranibizumab binds to and inhibits multiple VEGF variants. We investigated the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in DME involving the foveal center.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) versus ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: a safety review.

Aim: To conduct a systematic review in order to compare adverse effects (AE) and the reporting of harm in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs evaluating intravitreal ranibizumab and bevacizumab in age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched with no limitations of language and year of publication. Studies which compared bevacizumab or ranibizumab as monotherapy with any other control group were included.

Vitreal levels of erythropoietin are increased in patients with retinal vein occlusion and correlate with vitreal VEGF and the extent of macular edema.

Purpose: This study compares vitreal levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with control subjects. In addition, it investigates different RVO disease parameters (time of vein occlusion, patient age, vitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and extent of central macular edema) for possible correlations with vitreal EPO levels.

Methods: Serum and vitreal EPO were measured from 6 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, 6 patients with central retinal vein occlusion, and 12 control subjects (10 macular puckers and 2 macular holes).

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) vs. ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.

Purpose Of Review: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate whether the existing evidence justifies the intravitreal use of bevacizumab in comparison to ranibizumab in age-related macular degeneration.

Recent Findings: Compared with photodynamic therapy, bevacizumab shows a relative improvement in visual acuity that is of similar size as in the comparison of ranibizumab with photodynamic therapy (relative improvement from 30 to 35%). However, this finding is based on one randomized controlled trial including less than 50 patients treated with bevacizumab.

Bevacizumab in central retinal vein occlusion: a retrospective analysis after 2 years of treatment.

Purpose: Bevacizumab (Avastin) was first used clinically in 2005. Reports on the treatment of more than 600 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) have been published to date. However, there are limited data on the long-term effects of bevacizumab in patients with CRVO.

Therapeutic interference with EphrinB2 signalling inhibits oxygen-induced angioproliferative retinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate whether EphrinB2 (EfnB2) or EphB4 influence retinal angiogenesis under physiological or pathological conditions.

Methods: Using the mouse model of oxygen-induced proliferative retinopathy (OIR), the expression of EfnB2, EphB4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and localized in EfnB2- and EphB4-lacZ mice. Angioproliferative retinopathy was manipulated by intravitreal injection of dimeric EfnB2 and monomeric or dimeric EphB4.

Retinal vascular occlusions: an interdisciplinary challenge.

Introduction: Retinal venous and arterial occlusions are common causes of visual loss. Depending on the location and extent, symptoms may vary from very discrete impairments to complete loss of sight.

Methods: Selective literature review including the authors' own research data with a particular focus on interdisciplinary aspects.

Combinatory inhibition of VEGF and FGF2 is superior to solitary VEGF inhibition in an in vitro model of RPE-induced angiogenesis.

Background: Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) as a feature of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is partially regulated by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In this study, the effect of combinatory anti-angiogenic treatment was evaluated using a novel in vitro assay of RPE-induced angiogenesis.

Methods: RPE isolated from surgically excised CNV-membranes (CNV-RPE) was used to stimulate sprouting of endothelial cell (EC) spheroids in a 3D collagen matrix.

Histopathological findings after retinal endovascular lysis in central retinal vein occlusion.

This case study explores the histopathological findings 9 months after retinal endovascular lysis (REVL) in a 62-year-old woman having a 7-week-old, highly ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with hand movement vision. Angiographic examination 3 days postoperatively did not show improved arteriovenous passage time. In addition, the patient's postoperative vision did not change, and despite intensive photocoagulation and cryotherapy in the early postoperative period, the globe had to be removed 9 months later because of painful phthisis.

Syndromic choroideremia: sublocalization of phenotypes associated with Martin-Probst deafness mental retardation syndrome.

Purpose: To identify the mutation leading to syndromic choroideremia (CHM) in two families and to define fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in CHM carriers.

Methods: The ophthalmic and clinical phenotype was investigated including FAF, neuropediatric, otorhinolaryngologic, cardiologic, and nephrologic examinations of three male patients (age, 11-46 years) and three female carriers (age, 11-46 years) from two families. Genomic DNA amplification (PCR) of the REP1 gene as well as adjacent loci was used to determine the molecular basis of the phenotype.

Annular fundus autofluorescence abnormality in a case of macular dystrophy.

Purpose: To present a case of macular dystrophy with early changes in fundus autofluorescence.

Methods: A 20-year-old woman with a recent loss of visual acuity and onset of photophobia was examined. Color vision and visual field testing, fluorescein angiography, full-field and multifocal electroretinograms as well as fundus autofluorescence were performed.

Endogenous endophthalmitis: microorganisms, disposition and prognosis.

Purpose: Endogenous endophthalmitis is a severe and potentially blinding complication caused by haematogenous spreading of microorganisms. We evaluated the causative microorganisms, disposition to and prognosis of the disease.

Methods: Thirty-one eyes of 28 patients were treated between 1996 and 2006 as the result of an endogenous endophthalmitis.

Intravitreal injection of the heparin analog 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonate reduces retinal neovascularization in mice.

The effect of the heparin analog 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonate (5-amino-2-NMS) on retinal neovascularization was investigated in the mouse model for oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). From postnatal day 7 (P7) until P12, mice were kept in a 75% oxygen environment. On P12, they received an intravitreal injection of 10mM 5-amino-2-NMS in one eye and PBS as control substance in the fellow eye.

Ca2+ channels in retinal pigment epithelial cells regulate vascular endothelial growth factor secretion rates in health and disease.

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the most severe complication in age-related macular degeneration. The major angiogenic factor involved is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Since RPE cells express neuroendocrine L-type Ca2+ channels we investigated their involvement in VEGF secretion in normal RPE cells and RPE cells from patients with CNV.

Successful treatment of cystoid macular edema with valdecoxib.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the COX-2 inhibitor valdecoxib in treating macular edema after cataract surgery.

Setting: University Eye Clinic, Freiburg, Germany and Reis Medical Institution, Liechtenstein.

Methods: The COX-2 inhibitor valdecoxib (Bextra) was administered systemically to patients with significant visual loss resulting from macular edema in a prospective clinical trial.

Bevacizumab in retinal vein occlusion-results of a prospective case series.

Background: Macular edema is the main reason for decreased visual acuity (VA) in early retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) is an anti-VEGF substance to treat macular edema triggered by hypoxia-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Initial reports showed a significant reduction of central retinal thickness and improved visual acuity (VA) after bevacizumab injection.

Retinal endovascular lysis in ischemic central retinal vein occlusion: one-year results of a pilot study.

Purpose: Retinal endovascular lysis is a new therapeutic option for patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). In this procedure, a fibrinolytic agent is injected directly into a cannulated retinal vein after pars plana vitrectomy.

Design: Prospective interventional case series.