Ischemia-induced hypoxia elicits retinal neovascularization and is a major component of several blinding retinopathies such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Currently, noninvasive imaging techniques capable of detecting and monitoring retinal hypoxia in living systems do not exist. Such techniques would greatly clarify the role of hypoxia in experimental and human retinal neovascular pathogenesis. In this study, we developed and characterized HYPOX-4, a fluorescence-imaging probe capable of detecting retinal-hypoxia in living animals. HYPOX-4 dependent in vivo and ex vivo imaging of hypoxia was tested in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Predicted patterns of retinal hypoxia were imaged by HYPOX-4 dependent fluorescence activity in this animal model. In retinal cells and mouse retinal tissue, pimonidazole-adduct immunostaining confirmed the hypoxia selectivity of HYPOX-4. HYPOX-4 had no effect on retinal cell proliferation as indicated by BrdU assay and exhibited no acute toxicity in retinal tissue as indicated by TUNEL assay and electroretinography (ERG) analysis. Therefore, HYPOX-4 could potentially serve as the basis for in vivo fluorescence-based hypoxia-imaging techniques, providing a tool for investigators to understand the pathogenesis of ischemic retinopathies and for physicians to address unmet clinical needs.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4974503PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep31011DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

retinal hypoxia
12
retinal
10
vivo imaging
8
model oxygen-induced
8
oxygen-induced retinopathy
8
capable detecting
8
hypox-4 dependent
8
retinal tissue
8
hypoxia
7
hypox-4
6

Similar Publications

VEGF is not only the most potent angiogenic factor, but also an important neurotrophic factor. In this study, vitreous expression of six neurotrophic factors were examined in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients with prior anti-VEGF therapy (n = 48) or without anti-VEGF treatment (n = 41) via ELISA. Potential source, variation and impact of these factors were further investigated in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), as well as primary Müller cells and 661W photoreceptor cell line under hypoxic condition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Retinal pathological angiogenesis (PA) is linked to diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and this study explores the role of the protein biglycan (BGN) in this process using a mouse model.
  • The researchers found that BGN levels increased in the retinas of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy and that inhibiting BGN led to reduced PA, suggesting BGN plays a crucial role in promoting this condition.
  • Further analysis indicated that BGN's effect on PA may involve the upregulation of another protein, CXCL12, and blocking the interaction between CXCL12 and its receptor significantly decreased PA in mice, highlighting the importance of pericytes in
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nowadays, the use of monoclonal antibodies to target angiogenic signalling pathways is common, but, unfortunately, the clinical activity of these agents is limited. Thus, the development of approaches targeting multiple pathways for anti-angiogenic effect will lead to increase the clinical benefit. For this purpose, oleuropein, hesperidin, piperine, proanthocyanidins and retinoic acid, which have previously been proven to be bioactive components, anti-angiogenic performances were experimentally tested in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Previous in vitro studies on porcine retinal arterioles have shown that the frequency and amplitude of retinal vasomotion can be affected by hypoxia and nitric oxide (NO). However, it is unknown whether these effects can be reproduced in humans in vivo.

Methods: Video recordings of retinal arterioles from 40 healthy subjects were studied before and during breathing of a hypoxic gas mixture consisting of 12.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Artificial intelligence-enabled discovery of a RIPK3 inhibitor with neuroprotective effects in an acute glaucoma mouse model.

Chin Med J (Engl)

December 2024

Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China.

Background: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death caused by acute ocular hypertension is an important characteristic of acute glaucoma. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) that mediates necroptosis is a potential therapeutic target for RGC death. However, the current understanding of the targeting agents and mechanisms of RIPK3 in the treatment of glaucoma remains limited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!