Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Antibody, BC001, Attenuates Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
OBJECTIVE
A study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) monoclonal antibody, BC001, against laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV).


METHODS
We induced the experimental CNV in rhesus monkey eyes using laser photocoagulation. Monkeys were randomly assigned to 4 groups that received a single intravitreal administration of BC001 at 0 (vehicle-treated group), 0.05, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and histological studies were used for evaluations. The ocular recovery was determined by comparing changes of fluorescein leaking area and thickness of disrupted retina around the laser burn spot before and after drug administration. Choroidal blood vessels were stained and quantified by lectin staining. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to determine the general histological complications.


RESULTS
An intravitreal injection of BC001 at 0.05, 0.2, and 0.5 mg per eye at 20 days after laser burn significantly reduced the CNV-induced fluorescein leakage, retina pathology, and aberrant choroidal vessel growth and did not change intraocular pressure or induce any immune response.


CONCLUSIONS
BC001 confers significant inhibitory effects against laser-induced CNV in rhesus monkeys, thereby suggesting that prevention of VEGFR2 activation may be promising as an alternative therapeutic target for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
1 Shandong Buchang Pharmaceutical Company , Heze, China .
Tao
T
Zhao
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .
Jie
J
Zhang
3 Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc., Chengdu, China .
Yanyan
Y
Zhang
3 Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc., Chengdu, China .
Jingjing
J
Huang
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .|3 Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc., Chengdu, China .
Xin
X
Wang
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .
Yingqian
Y
Zhang
4 Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .
Ming
M
Zhang
1 Shandong Buchang Pharmaceutical Company , Heze, China .
Ye
Y
Yuan
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .|3 Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc., Chengdu, China .
Kai
K
Xiao
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .
Hongxia
H
Li
2 Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China .|3 Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc., Chengdu, China .
Zhihui
Z
Zhong
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2