title: Expression of neuropilin-1 in choroidal neovascular membranes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neovascularization is a serious consequence of several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. Neovascularization is under the control of proangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. Recent work in our laboratory has focused on other, novel angiogenic factors, such as neuropilin-1, and their potential role in neovascularization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of neuropilin-1 in choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the localization of neuropilin-1 by immunohistochemistry in nine choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) surgically excised from four patients with age-related macular degeneration who had not undergone laser photocoagulation, four with idiopathic CNV and one with ocular histoplasmosis. We also stained the membranes for markers of endothelial and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Controls included omission of primary antibody, use of an irrelevant primary antibody, and neuropilin-1 staining of the posterior sclera, choroid and retina of four healthy donor eyes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuropilin-1 was present in eight of the nine CNVMs. It was localized mainly to the plasma membrane. The more vascular membranes and those consisting of a larger number of retinal pigment epithelial cells were associated with greater neuropilin-1 staining. Neuropilin-1 was not seen in the posterior segment of the four healthy eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuropilin-1 appears to play an active role in CNV. Further study is needed to establish a causal relation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Jing Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Brad J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hinz
authors.forename: Mark D J
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Greve
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hornan
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samad
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Joanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Matsubara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D039942:Neuropilin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D039942:Neuropilin-1