The SDF-1/CXCR4 ligand/receptor pair is an important contributor to several types of ocular neovascularization

Raquel Lima E Silva, Jikui Shen, Sean F. Hackett, Shu Kachi, Hideo Akiyama, Katsuji Kiuchi, Katsutoshi Yokoi, Maria C. Hatara, Thomas Lauer, Sadia Aslam, Yuan Yuan Gong, Wei Hong Xiao, Naw Htee Khu, Catherine Thut, Peter A. Campochiaro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hypoxia causes increased expression of several proteins that have the potential to promote neovascularization. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is up-regulated by hypoxia in the retina and plays a central role in the development of several types of ocular neovascularization, but the effects of other hypoxia-regulated proteins are less clear. Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor, CXCR4, have hypoxia response elements in the promoter regions of their genes and are increased in hypoxic liver and heart. In this study, we found that SDF-1 and CXCR4 are increased in hypoxic retina, with SDF-1 localized in glial cells primarily near the surface of the retina and CXCR4 localized in bone marrow-derived cells. Glial cells also expressed CXCR4, which suggested the possibility of autocrine stimulation, but influx of bone marrow-derived cells is the major source of increased levels of CXCR4. High levels of VEGF in the retina in the absence of hypoxia also increased levels of Cxcr4 and Sdf1 mRNA. CXCR4 antagonists reduced influx of bone marrow-derived cells into ischemic retina and strongly suppressed retinal neovascularization, VEGF-induced subretinal neovascularization, and choroidal neovascularization. These data suggest that SDF-1 and CXCR4 contribute to the involvement of bone marrowderived cells and collaborate with VEGF in the development of several types of ocular neovascularization. They provide new targets for therapeutic intervention that may help to bolster and supplement effects obtained with VEGF antagonists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3219-3230
Number of pages12
JournalFASEB Journal
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007

Keywords

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Angiogenesis
  • Chemokines
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Inflammation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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