Influence of Lactic Acid on Differential Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor in Explants of Rat Retina

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the influence of lactate on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in rat retina.Methods: Retinal explants from neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were incubated with media containing 10, 20, or 30 mM of lactic acid. The 10 mM group was used as a control. At 24 h after incubation, retinas were sectioned for light microscopy, and expressions of VEGF and PEDF measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.Results: The architecture of cultured retinas appeared to be intact. Compared with control, both RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that 30 mM of lactic acid significantly increased the levels of VEGF, but not PEDF.Conclusions: Stimulation of production of retinal VEGF by lactate is dependent on the concentration of lactate. Lactate has no effect on the expression of PEDF in rat retinal explants.