Intravitreal human complement factor H in a rat model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularisation. Issue 3 (19th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Sang Jin; Kim, Jaeryung; Lee, Jinyoung; Cho, Sung Yoon; Kang, Hee Jung; Kim, Ki-Yong; Jin, Dong-Kyu
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 97:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 370
• Publication Date: 2012-12-19
• Subjects: Retina -- Experimental &#8211 animal models; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effect of intravitreally administered human complement factor H (CFH) in a rat model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Methods: Analysis of alternative pathway inhibition by human plasma-purified CFH was conducted by measuring C3 deposition on zymosan particles using rat serum. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation on Day 0 in the eyes of Brown Norway rats. Human plasma-purified CFH (50 μg/2 μl) or phosphate buffered saline was injected intravitreally on Day 0 (prevention arm) or Day 7 (treatment arm). Seven days after injection, eyes were enucleated and retinal pigment epithelium-choroid-sclera flat mounts were prepared. Areas of CNV were determined in flat mounts and quantified using an image analysis programme. Flat mounts were also stained for membrane attack complex. Results: In rat serum, human CFH inhibited activity of alternative pathway in a dose-dependent manner. On Day 3, mean membrane attack complex deposition in laser-treated retina significantly decreased in CFH-treated eyes (p<0.001). In the prevention arm, the mean CNV area in CFH-treated eyes decreased by 27.0% compared with phosphate buffered saline-treated control eyes on Day 7 (p=0.011). In the treatment arm, the mean CNV area in CFH-treated eyes decreased by 38.3% compared with control eyes on Day 14 (p=0.001). Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of human CFH resulted in the suppression of formation of new, and regression of preformed laser-induced CNV in the rat model. Human CFH may be a feasible treatment for CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration or other causes.