Type I pig collagen enhances the efficacy of PEDF 34-mer peptide in a mouse model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization.

Background: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF)-derived 34-mer peptide (PEDF34, Asp-Asn) has anti-angiogenic activity but has limitations in clinical application because of an inverted bell-shaped dose-effect relationship and a short half-life. In this study, we attempted to mitigate these problems by mixing PEDF34 with type I collagen.

Methods: The anti-angiogenic activity of the PEDF34/atelocollagen mixture was evaluated by HUVEC tube formation assay and in a laser-induced choroidal neovascular (CNV) mouse model. PEDF34 and/or collagen were administrated using intravitreal injections or eye drops. CNV lesion size was quantified using FITC-dextran-perfused retinal whole mounts. Western blot analysis and inhibitor assays were used to define the action mechanisms of PEDF34 and the mixture.

Results: Collagen broadened the effective dose range of PEDF34 in the tube formation assay by > 250 times (from 0.2 to 50 nM). In the CNV model, five intravitreal injections of PEDF34 were required for therapeutic effect, whereas the mixture had a significant therapeutic effect following a single injection. Eye drops of the mixture showed significantly stronger CNV-suppressive effects than drops of PEDF34 alone. The anti-angiogenic activity of PEDF34 might be mediated by inhibition of ERK and JNK activation by VEGF, and collagen potentiated these effects.

Conclusions: Collagen can serve as a carrier and reservoir of PEDF34. PEDF peptide/collagen mixture is easy to prepare than conventional methods for maintaining the therapeutic effect of PEDF peptide.