title: Effect of substance P on recovery from laser-induced retinal degeneration.
abstract: Retinal degeneration is caused by neovascularization and persistent inflammation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, and causes serious eye disease including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thus, inhibiting inflammation and neovascularization may be a primary approach to protect the retina from degeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether substance P (SP), which can suppress inflammation and mobilize stem cells, can protect the RPE from degeneration. The effect of SP was evaluated by analyzing systemic inflammation, cell survival, and neovascularization within the argon laser-injured retina of mice. At 1 week postinjury, the SP-treated group had lower tumor necrosis factor-alpha and higher interleukin-10 serum concentrations, and a more intact retinal structure compared to the vehicle-treated group. In mice administered SP repeatedly for 4 weeks, the retinal structure appeared normal and showed sparse neovascularization, whereas the vehicle-treated group showed severe retinal destruction and dense neovascularization. Moreover, the efficacy of SP was identical to that of mesenchymal stem cells that were transplanted into the vitreous after retinal injury. This study highlights the potential for the endogenous neuropeptide SP as a treatment for retinal damage to prevent conditions such as AMD.
authors: College of Medicine/ East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Hyun Sook
authors: HS
authors: Hong
authors: Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Suna
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Seungwoo
authors: S
authors: Nam
authors: Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Jihyun
authors: J
authors: Um
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, St. Paul's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yeong Hoon
authors: YH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Youngsook
authors: Y
authors: Son
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013373:Substance P