Interleukin-17 induces angiogenesis in vitro via CXCL8 and CCL2 in retinal pigment epithelium.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) angiogenesis. Proteins expressed by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may contribute to CEC angiogenesis. The ability of IL‑17 to promote proliferation, migration and capillary‑like structure formation in CECs was investigated by stimulating the RPE in vitro.

Interleukin-17 induces angiogenesis in human choroidal endothelial cells in vitro.

Purpose: The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) has recently been shown to promote angiogenesis. In addition, a receptor for IL-17, IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC), is enriched in patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease characterized by the formation of choroidal neovascularization. However, the role of IL-17 in choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) angiogenesis has not been defined.