Antiangiogenic Effectiveness of the Urokinase Receptor-Derived Peptide UPARANT in a Model of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Massimo Dal MontePaola Bagnoli

Abstract

Pharmacologic control of neovascularization is a promising approach for the treatment of retinal angiogenesis. UPARANT, an inhibitor of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), inhibits VEGF-driven angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. This study investigates for the first time the effectiveness of UPARANT in counteracting pathologic neovascularization in the retina. Murine retinal fragments and a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) were used. In mice with OIR, UPARANT-treated retinas were analyzed for avascular area and neovascular tuft formation. Levels of transcription and proangiogenic factors were determined. UPARANT effects on the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), visual function, retinal cytoarchitecture, and inflammatory markers were also assessed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in which angiogenesis was induced by the vitreous fluid from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were also used. UPARANT reduced VEGF-induced angiogenesis in retinal fragments. In mice with OIR, UPARANT decreased neovascular response, VEGF, and VEGF receptor-2 activity. Transcription factors regulating VEGF expression were also reduced. UPARA...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 29, 2016·Experimental Eye Research·Grazia Paola NicchiaMaria Svelto
Jul 3, 2015·Journal of Diabetes Research·F SemeraroC Costagliola
Nov 15, 2018·Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine·Massimo Dal MontePaola Bagnoli
Aug 30, 2017·Journal of Ophthalmology·A F MoleiroA Rocha-Sousa
Sep 18, 2020·Journal of Molecular Medicine : Official Organ of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher Und Ärzte·Filippo LocriHelder André
May 1, 2017·Inflammation Research : Official Journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et Al.]·Serena BoccellaVincenzo Pavone
Jun 28, 2019·Journal of Molecular Medicine : Official Organ of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher Und Ärzte·Filippo LocriHelder André
Jan 2, 2020·Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS·Parviz MammadzadaHelder André
Aug 21, 2019·Cells·Maurizio CammalleriPaola Bagnoli
Dec 6, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Effat AlizadehHelder André
Jan 25, 2021·Drug Discovery Today·Cai YuanMingdong Huang
Oct 23, 2020·European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics·Michele CicconeAngelo Mancinelli
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Sara RezzolaMarco Presta

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Adhesion Molecules in Health and Disease

Cell adhesion molecules are a subset of cell adhesion proteins located on the cell surface involved in binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix in the process called cell adhesion. In essence, cell adhesion molecules help cells stick to each other and to their surroundings. Cell adhesion is a crucial component in maintaining tissue structure and function. Discover the latest research on adhesion molecule and their role in health and disease here.

Arterial-Venous in Development & Disease

Arterial-venous development may play a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases. Here is the latest research.