Associations between VEGF isoforms and impending retinopathy of prematurity.

Background/objective: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the main driver of angiogenesis during neurodevelopment (i.e., brain and retina).

Feasibility of neonatal haemoglobin A1C as a biomarker for retinopathy of prematurity.

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially serious eye disorder affecting very preterm infants. Non-proliferative ROP (NP-ROP), also known as Early Stage ROP, is characterized by deficient retinal angiogenesis. Proliferative ROP (P-ROP), also known as Late Stage ROP, is characterized by pathologic angiogenesis.

The association between high levels of luteinizing hormone and proliferative retinopathy of prematurity in female preterm infants.

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), generally considered reproductive hormones, have potent proangiogenic properties. Both of these hormones and their joint receptor (CG/LH receptor) are found in the human eye. We hypothesized that an excess of these hormones is associated with proliferative retinopathy of prematurity (P-ROP).

Demonstrating a Linear Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Luteinizing Hormone in Kidney Cortex Extracts.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) helps to control angiogenesis and vascular permeability in the kidney. Renal disorders, such as diabetic nephropathy, are associated with VEGF dysregulation in the kidney. The factors that govern VEGF under physiologic conditions in the kidney are not well-understood.

The postnatal presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in preterm infants and its potential inverse association with retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are pro-angiogenic gonadotropic hormones, which classically target the reproductive organs. However, hCG, LH, and their shared CG/LH receptor are also present in the human eye. The possibility that a deficiency of these hormones may be involved in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) during its early non-proliferative phase has not been explored.

The potential effect of human chorionic gonadotropin on vasoproliferative disorders of the immature retina.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is known to be a powerful vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-regulating hormone. It stimulates vascularization of the gravid uterus by upregulating VEGF expression. In the body, hCG activates the same receptor as luteinizing hormone (LH).

Elimination of Signaling by the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Reduces Ocular VEGF and Retinal Vascularization during Mouse Eye Development.

Unlabelled: Purpose/Aim: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Identifying the factors that contribute to VEGF regulation during normal retinal vascularization is the key to ROP prevention. Currently, physiologic hypoxia is thought to be responsible for retinal VEGF regulation in utero.

Confirmation of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in Living Human Vitreous and the Effect of LH Receptor Reduction on Murine Electroretinogram.

Luteinizing hormone (LH), produced in the anterior pituitary, has been detected in cadaver eyes and LH receptors (LHRs) have been identified in the retina, with the highest density in cone photoreceptors. Our aim was to confirm the presence of LH in the living, human eye as well as to examine the potential impact of a reduction in LHR signaling on visual processing. Vitreous samples were collected from 40 patients (23 diabetics, 17 non-diabetics) who were undergoing vitrectomies for various indications.

Vitreous Levels of Luteinizing Hormone and VEGF are Strongly Correlated in Healthy Mammalian Eyes.

Unlabelled: Purpose/Aim: Luteinizing hormone (LH) is known to function as a key regulator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in reproductive organs. In recent years, LH has also been detected in human vitreous and LH receptors have been identified in human retina. This study was aimed to investigate a potential correlation between LH and VEGF levels in healthy mammalian eyes to provide supporting evidence of LH's potential involvement in intraocular VEGF regulation.

Pretreatment with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Protects the Neonatal Brain against the Effects of Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury.

Introduction: Though the human fetus is exposed to placentally derived human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) throughout gestation, the role of hCG on the fetal brain is unknown. Review of the available literature appears to indicate that groups of women with higher mean levels of hCG during pregnancy tend to have offspring with lower cerebral palsy (CP) risk. Given that newborn cerebral injury often precedes the development of CP, we aimed to determine whether hCG may protect against the neurodegenerative effects of neonatal brain injury.

Postnatal corticosteroids and risk of retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To investigate the association between postnatal steroids and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonates born with birth weights at the limit of viability (<500 g).

Methods: Data from the Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Warehouse were retrospectively reviewed. The study population consisted of 1,472 neonates with birth weights of <500 g who were discharged alive from 167 NICUs between 1996 and 2013.