Suppression of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization by nontargeted siRNA

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Jul;51(7):3820-4. doi: 10.1167/iovs.09-5121. Epub 2010 Feb 3.

Abstract

PURPOSE. To investigate the effect of nontargeted siRNAs on vascular leakage and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS. Nontargeted siRNAs were 21-nt (nucleotides) siRNA-Luc (Luciferase) or 16-nt siRNA-Luc. Targeted 21-nt siRNA-Vegfa or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was used for comparison. Laser photocoagulation was used to induce CNV in wild-type C57BL/6J mice; 7 days later, vascular leakage was determined by fluorescein angiography, and CNV volumes were measured by confocal microscopy. Expression of VEGF-A in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid was quantified by ELISA 3 days after photocoagulation. RESULTS. Pathologically significant leakage developed in most of the 16nt-siRNA-Luc- or PBS-injected mice but in significantly fewer 21nt-siRNA-Luc- and 21nt-siRNA-Vegfa-injected mice (P = 0.0004, P = 0.0001, respectively). CNV volume in 21-nt siRNA-Luc- and 21nt-siRNA-Vegfa-injected eyes was significantly lower than in PBS-injected eyes (P = 0.0124, P = 0.0040, respectively). CNV volume was not suppressed by 16-nt siRNA-Luc injection (P = 0.7700). The mean VEGF protein level decreased significantly in the 21nt-siRNA-Luc- and 21nt-siRNA-Vegfa-injected eyes compared with PBS-injected eyes 3 days after laser photocoagulation (P = 0.0011, P = 0.0063, respectively). The 16nt-siRNA-Luc-injected eyes did not show VEGF-A suppression 3 days after laser photocoagulation (P = 0.3177). Between 21-nt siRNA-Luc- and 21nt-siRNA-Vegfa-injected eyes, there were no significant differences in CNV volume, the VEGF-A level, or pathologic leakage detected by fluorescein. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that nontarget 21nt-siRNA can suppress laser-induced choroidal neovascularization anatomically and functionally through VEGF suppression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillary Permeability / drug effects
  • Choroid / blood supply
  • Choroid / metabolism
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / etiology
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / metabolism
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Laser Coagulation / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse