title: Semaphorin 3F forms an anti-angiogenic barrier in outer retina.
abstract: Semaphorins are known modulators of axonal sprouting and angiogenesis. In the retina, we identified a distinct and almost exclusive expression of Semaphorin 3F in the outer layers. Interestingly, these outer retinal layers are physiologically avascular. Using functional in vitro models, we report potent anti-angiogenic effects of Semaphorin 3F on both retinal and choroidal vessels. In addition, human retinal pigment epithelium isolates from patients with pathologic neovascularization of the outer retina displayed reduced Semaphorin 3F expression in 10 out of 15 patients. Combined, these results elucidate a functional role for Semaphorin 3F in the outer retina where it acts as a vasorepulsive cue to maintain physiologic avascularity.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anima
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buehler
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sitaras
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Favret
authors.forename: Felicitas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Amelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pielen
authors.forename: Jean-Sebastian
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Joyal
authors.forename: Aimee M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: Gottfried
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Guenther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schlunck
authors.forename: Hansjürgen T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klagsbrun
authors.forename: Lois E H
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Przemyslaw
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sapieha
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stahl
mesh_terms: D043165:Angiostatic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D055214:Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment / Q000378:metabolism*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D043165:Angiostatic Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C491230:SEMA3F protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A