[The effect of interferon-beta on experimental choroidal neovascularization].
We studied histologically the effect of systemic administration of human interferon-beta (IFN-beta) on experimental choroidal neovascularization which was caused by intensive laser photocoagulation at the posterior pole of monkey eyes. The regression of choroidal neovascularization was observed in IFN-treated monkeys. Histologically, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was remarkably abundant around choroidal neovascularization in the subretinal space, and the activity of neovascularization was weaker in IFN-treated monkeys than in untreated monkeys. These results indicate that IFN-beta promotes the proliferation of RPE and suppresses the activity of endothelial cells of neovascularization to cause regression of choroidal neovascularization. The results suggest that IFN-beta is clinically useful to treat the choroidal neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration.
Tobe
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka-fu, Japan.
Takahashi
K
K
Ohkuma
H
H
Uyama
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016899:Interferon-beta