title: C5a, but not C3a, increases VEGF secretion in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the potential for the pro-inflammatory complement proteins C5a and C3a to increase VEGF expression in ARPE-19 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of complement receptors in ARPE-19 cells was evaluated by RT-PCR. VEGF secretion from ARPE-19 cells treated with C5a or C3a was determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  C5a and C3a receptor, but not C5L2, were detected in human eye tissue and ARPE-19 cells. C5a, but not C3a, treatment increased VEGF secretion from ARPE-19 cells, an effect inhibited by the C5aR antagonist, NDT 9513727.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C5a receptor mediates increased VEGF secretion from ARPE-19 cells, suggesting a role for the C5a receptor in the pathogenesis of macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Neurogen Corporation, Branford, Connecticut, USA. sciencefoundry@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Daniel N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Cortright
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Bertrand L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Chenard
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015936:Complement C5a / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044087:Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / Q000235:genetics; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000235:genetics; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044087:Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a; D011951:Receptors, Complement; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C085567:complement C3a receptor; D015926:Complement C3a; D015936:Complement C5a