Blockade of MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibits corneal lymphangiogenesis.

Purpose: To investigate the roles of a selective MMP-2 and -9 inhibitor (SB-3CT) in corneal inflammatory lymphangiogenesis.

Methods: The expression of MMP-2 and -9 in the cornea after suture inplacement, treated with SB-3CT or negative control, was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Inflammatory corneal neovascularization (NV) was induced by corneal suture placement.

[Gene mapping and mutation detection in a family with congenital anterior polar cataract].

Objective: To map the gene mutation responsible for autosomal dominant inherited congenital anterior polar cataract in a Chinese family.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from the members in this congenital cataract family. DNA was extracted from the blood samples.

Propofol increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of BKCa in the cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells of mice.

Aim: Propofol has the side effect of hypotension especially in the elderly and patients with hypertension. Previous studies suggest propofol-caused hypotension results from activation of large conductance Ca(2+)-sensitive K channels (BKCa). In this study, the effects of propofol on the Ca(2+) sensitivity of BKCa were investigated in mice cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells.

Neutralization of mouse interleukin-17 bioactivity inhibits corneal allograft rejection.

Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effects of anti-mouse interleukin-17 (IL-17) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in high-responder corneal allograft rejection.

Methods: C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice corneal grafts were grafted onto BALB/c hosts. The neutralizing mouse IL-17 antibody and isotype control were injected intraperitoneally immediately after transplantation for experimental treatment.

Blocking neuropilin-2 enhances corneal allograft survival by selectively inhibiting lymphangiogenesis on vascularized beds.

Purpose: To investigate the potential inhibitory effects of RNA interference-mediated knockdown of neuropilin-2 (NP2) on inflammation-induced corneal hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and whether selective inhibition of lymphangiogenesis on vascularized recipient beds before transplantation improves the graft survival.

Methods: Mouse lymphatic endothelial cells were transfected with the plasmid expressing artificial microRNA (amiRNA) against mouse NP2, and the down-regulation of VEGF-C-induced NP2 expression by NP2 amiRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR and western blot assays. Next, NP2 amiRNA or negative control amiRNA was injected intrastromally into BALB/c mouse model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization three days after surgery.