title: Inhibited experimental corneal neovascularization by neutralizing anti-SDF-1α antibody.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of SDF-1α on the development of experimental corneal neovascularization (CRNV).
  
  
  METHODS
  CRNV was induced by alkali injury in mice. The expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 in burned corneas was examined by Flow Cytometry. Neutralizing anti-mouse SDF-1α antibody was locally administrated after alkali injury and the formation of CRNV 2 weeks after injury was assessed by Immunohistochemistry. The expression of VEGF and C-Kit in burned corneas was detected by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of CRNV peaks at 2 weeks after alkali injury. Compared to control group, SDF-1α neutralizing antibody treatment significantly decreased the number of CRNV. RT-PCR confirmed that SDF-1α neutralizing antibody treatment resulted in decreased intracorneal VEGF and C-Kit expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SDF-1α neutralizing antibody treated mice exhibited impaired experimental CRNV through down regulated VEGF and C-Kit expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Gao-Qin
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pei-Rong
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Long-Biao
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xue-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Zhang