Dynamics of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and their ligands in aqueous humour during ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration

Ryosuke Motohashi,Kanako Yasuda,Masahiko Shimura,Hidetaka Noma,Hiroshi Goto,Osamu Kotake

doi:10.1186/s12950-018-0203-x

Abstract

BackgroundIntravitreal ranibizumab injection (IRI) is effective for patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and decreases intraocular levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but VEGF receptor intraocular dynamics after IRI are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated changes in the aqueous humor levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-1, sVEGFR-2, and their ligands for these receptors (VEGF) patients with AMD receiving IRI.MethodsThe subjects were 24 patients with AMD (24 eyes) who received 3 doses of IRI at monthly intervals. Aqueous humor samples were obtained when each IRI dose was given (visits 0, 1, and 2 at 4-week intervals). Then the suspension array method was employed to measure sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, VEGF, and placental growth factor (PlGF) in aqueous humor samples from the 24 AMD patients and 13 cataract patients (as controls). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logMAR) chart and central macular thickness (CMT; optical coherence tomography) were also assessed over time.ResultsAt baseline, the aqueous humor levels of sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, VEGF, and PlGF were significantly higher in the AMD group than in the control group. There was a significant correlation between VEGF and PlGF or between sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2. BCVA and CMT both improved significantly after IRI, and the aqueous humor levels of VEGF, PlGF, and sVEGFR-1 also decreased significantly.ConclusionsVEGFRs may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. IRI improves clinical parameters in AMD patients by suppressing intraocular levels of VEGF, PlGF, and sVEGFR-1.

Highlights

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IRI) is effective for patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and decreases intraocular levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but VEGF receptor intraocular dynamics after IRI are unclear
A prospective study was performed in which the concentrations of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and their ligands (VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF)) were measured in aqueous humors samples obtained from patients with wet AMD at initiation of IRI, and changes of these factors were evaluated during the first course of IRI treatment
In the AMD group, there was a significant correlation between the levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-1 and sVEGFR-2, as well as between VEGF and PlGF levels (Table 2), but there were no correlations between sVEGFR-1 and VEGF or PlGF (Table 2) or between sVEGFR-2 and VEGF or PlGF (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IRI) is effective for patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and decreases intraocular levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but VEGF receptor intraocular dynamics after IRI are unclear. We evaluated changes in the aqueous humor levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-1, sVEGFR-2, and their ligands for these receptors (VEGF) patients with AMD receiving IRI. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an important cause of visual loss [1]. A prospective study was performed in which the concentrations of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and their ligands (VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF)) were measured in aqueous humors samples obtained from patients with wet AMD at initiation of IRI, and changes of these factors were evaluated during the first course of IRI treatment

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Discussion

Conclusion