Evaluation of the growth factors VEGF-a and VEGF-B in the vitreous and serum of patients with macular and retinal vascular diseases

Growth Factors. 2018 Apr;36(1-2):48-57. doi: 10.1080/08977194.2018.1477140. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Abstract

VEGF-A and VEGF-B are proangiogenic and key regulating factors for blood vessel growth. This study aims to compare VEGF-A and VEGF-B levels in the serum and vitreous of patients with neovascular pathology versus non-neovascular pathology. Our findings showed vitreous VEGF-A and VEGF-B levels increased in patients with neovascular disease, with higher levels of VEGF-A compared to VEGF-B (p ≤ .05). In the diabetic retinopathy (DR) group, higher vitreous VEGF-A or VEGF-B were found in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) than in non-PDR. The strong correlation between VEGF-A and VEGF-B demonstrates a simultaneous pathological increase of cytokines (p < .001), suggesting besides VEGF-A, VEGF-B is another contributor to ocular pathologies involving angiogenesis. There was no correlation between vitreous and serum VEGF-A or VEGF-B; however, a correlation between vitreous (VEGF-A or VEGF-B) and macular volume (p < .05) in DR patients was found. Targeting VEGF-A and VEGF-B in macular and retinal vascular diseases, involving neovascularization, may improve treatment outcomes.

Keywords: ELISA; VEGF-A; VEGF-B; neovascular diseases; vitreous humor.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Retinal Diseases / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B / blood*
  • Vitreous Body / metabolism*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B