VEGF expression and cell apoptosis in NOD mouse retina.

Abstract

To investigate retinal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and retinal cells apoptosis in the early stage of diabetic NOD mouse retina. Animals were divided into non-diabetes group, (control) (2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-week sub-groups, n=30) and diabetes group (2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-week sub-groups, n=30). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect VEGF level in both serum and retina. Transmission electron microscope method was used to examine retinal cell apoptosis. Compared with the control group, VEGF levels in serum and retina were increased significantly in the NOD group (12 weeks: 4.9±0.4µg/g vs 0.19±0.1µg/g in serum sample, P<0.01; 165±9µg/g vs 17±5µg/g in retinal sample, P<0.01). There exists a positive correlation between serum VEGF and retinal VEGF levels in the early diabetic NOD mice (γ=0.9902, P=0.001). The number of the cells apoptosis in the ganglion cells and endothelium can also been found increased significantly in the NOD group (P<0.01). The high VEGF expression may be contributed to increased retinal cells apoptosis. Many factors associated with retinal VEGF expression might involve in the early diabetes stage.