VEGF-A regulates the expression of VEGF-C in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression and regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), and its receptor VEGFR-3, in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and to consider their angiogenic role in choroidal neovascularisation (CNV).


METHODS
The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in cultured human RPE was confirmed by immunostaining, PCR, western blotting, and ELISA. Cultured RPE cells were exposed to VEGF-A and glucose and VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 changes in gene expression determined by RT-PCR. Secreted VEGF-C protein in conditioned media from RPE was examined by western blotting and ELISA analysis. The ability of VEGF-C to elicit tube formation in choroidal endothelial cells was assayed by an in vitro Matrigel model.


RESULTS
VEGF-A and glucose upregulated VEGF-C mRNA expression and increased the secretion of VEGF-C protein into the culture medium. VEGF-A, but not glucose alone, stimulated VEGFR-3 mRNA expression. VEGF-C acted synergistically with VEGF-A to promote in vitro tube formation by choroidal endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-A has a critical role in the orchestration of VEGF-C expression in RPE cells and the synergistic action of VEGF-C with VEGF-A may play an important part in the aetiology of CNV.
Zhao
B
B
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Ma
A
A
Cai
J
J
Boulton
M
M