The relationship between corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis with VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression in the aqueous humor

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the relationship between VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression in the aqueous humor with corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis,to provide a theoretical basis for choosing the operation time of keratoplasty.Methods It was a retrospective case series study.Ten cases (10 eyes) of hospitalized patients suffering from keratopathy and requiting keratoplasty from April to October 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.Experimental group involved 10 patients with keratoplasty following the corneal ulcer and alkali bum.Control group involved 10 patients with simple age-related cataract.Blood vessels counting (BVC) and lymphatic vessels counting (LVC) were tested by nonspecific vessels endothelial antibody CD31 and immunohistochemical staining of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor-1 (LYVE-1).VEGF-A and VEGF-C concentrations in the aqueous humor of patients and control group were measured by ELISA technology.The relationship between the expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in aqueous and the BVC and LVC was explored.Student t-test and Pearson correlation test were used to investigate the influencing factor.Results Immunohistochemical staining showed that all of 10 patients in experimental group presented angiogenesis,of whom 4 presented both neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis.VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression in two groups were significant different.Corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis were significantly related to VEGF-A and VEGF-C concentrations in the aqueous humor of eyes.Conclusions VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression in the aqueous humor of eyes are significantly higher in patients with neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis following keratopathy than the control group.VEGF-A expression is positively related to the BVC.VEGF-C expression is also positively related to the LVC.Therefore,VEGF-A and VEGF-C concentrations can reflect the growth of corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis. Key words: Corneal neovascularization; Corneal lymphangiogenesis; VEGF-A; VEGF-C