title: Vitreous levels of proteins implicated in angiogenesis are modulated in patients with retinal or choroidal neovascularization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), angiopoietin 2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1) in vitreous samples of patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration with choroidal neovascularization or from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Proteins in vitreous samples of 29 patients were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vitreous levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly higher in age-related macular degeneration with choroidal neovascularization (p = 0.005) and in PDR (p = 0.003) versus controls. In analogue comparisons, PEDF was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). PDR was associated with significantly increased angiopoietin 2 and VEGF levels (p = 0.001 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vitreous in retinal or choroidal neovascularization revealed a pro-angiogenic potential indicated by decreased PEDF or increased angiopoietin 2 levels compared to controls. However, higher amounts of sVEGFR-1 were concomitant, pointing to activation of an endogenous anti-angiogenic system in the protein network.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. matthias.huber @ charite.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wachtlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism*; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human