Downregulation of p22phox in retinal pigment epithelial cells inhibits choroidal neovascularization in mice.
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) occurs in a variety of chorioretinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and is the major cause of severe visual loss in patients with AMD. Oxidative stress has been thought to play an important role in the development of CNV. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is one of the major intracellular sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vascular system. In this study, we examined the expression of p22phox, an integral subunit in the NADPH oxidase complex, in the mouse eye. We determined that p22phox is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and inner retinal neurons. A small-interfering RNA (siRNA) designed against p22phox efficiently reduced the expression of the protein in the eye when delivered by means of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Vector treatment inhibited CNV in the mouse when delivered into the subretinal space where RPE cells were transduced. These results suggest that NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production in RPE cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD, and that this pathway may represent a new target for therapeutic intervention in AMD.
Li
Qiuhong
Q
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0284, USA. qli@ufl.edu
Dinculescu
Astra
A
Shan
Zhiying
Z
Miller
Rehae
R
Pang
Jijing
J
Lewin
Alfred S
AS
Raizada
Mohan K
MK
Hauswirth
William W
WW
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization; D003573:Cytochrome b Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D003573:Cytochrome b Group; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C515614:Cyba protein, mouse