title: Intracellular bevacizumab reduces phagocytotic uptake in RPE cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously shown that bevacizumab, but not ranibizumab, is taken up by porcine RPE cells. In this study, the effects of bevacizumab and ranibizumab on proliferation, wound healing and phagocytosis of the RPE were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary porcine RPE cell culture were prepared from fresh eyes, cultivated and treated with clinically relevant concentrations of bevacizumab or ranibizumab respectively. Proliferation was investigated in a proliferation assay, wound healing in a wound scratch assay and phagocytosis was investigated by feeding RPE cells photoreceptor outer segment-opsonized FITC-labeled latex beads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bevacizumab, and to a lesser extend ranibizumab, impair the proliferation of RPE cells but do not affect wound healing. Bevacizumab, but not ranibizumab, reduces the phagocytotic function of RPE cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The uptake of bevacizumab reduces phagocytosis in RPE cells, which indicates possible long-term effects of repeated bevacizumab treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kiel,, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 25, 24105, Kiel, Germany. aklettner@auge.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klettner
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Möhle
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roider
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D055214:Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab