Abstract
AIM: To investigate effects of interferon alpha 2b on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), mitogen activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK 1) gene expression in corneal neovascularization (CNV) modelsbyreal time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into three groups of ten rats each, and two corneas were obtained from each rat. CNV was induced by application of silver nitrate. In the first group one million IU/ml, in the second group three million IU/ml interferon-alfa 2b and in the third (control) group isotonic saline was applied to both eyes two times a day for two weeks. Rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and corneas were used for real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MAPK-1 gene expression levels were significantly higher in both first and second groups compared to the control group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.008, respectively). VEGFR-2 gene expression levels were found to be significantly higher in the second group than the control group (p = 0.028). VEGFA gene expression levels were also significantly higher in the second group than the control group, and there was no difference between the control and first group and between first and second groups (p > 0.05). ERK gene expression levels did not differ among all groups (p = 0.545). CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, it was shown that interferon-alfa 2b does not inhibit VEGFR-2, VEGFA, MAPK-1 or ERK 1 gene expression in CNV models despite its known anti-VEGF activities.
Highlights
The cornea is an avascular and translucent connective tissue which is located in the anterior portion of the eye and has refractive properties
At the end of the study, it was shown that interferon-alfa 2b does not inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), mitogen activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1) or ERK 1 gene expression in corneal neovascularization (CNV) models despite its known anti-VEGF activities
We investigated whether IFN-alpha 2b has an anti-VEGF effect at the level of gene expression, detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Summary
The cornea is an avascular and translucent connective tissue which is located in the anterior portion of the eye and has refractive properties. Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is an ocular pathology that has many etiologies, such as inflammatory, infectious, traumatic and degenerative disease, and can result in blindness if left untreated. It is known that VEGF has a major role in CNV pathogenesis, so anti-VEGF agents are largely used. Interferons are protein structures which support the immune system. Interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-α 2b) has immunomodulatory actions and can inhibit viral replication by inducing gene transcription and changing cell surface antigen expression. It is widely used in chronic hepatitis B and C, neoplasms such as multiple myeloma, chronic myeloid leukemia, follicular lymphoma and carcinoid tumors
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