title: The Combination of PlGF Inhibition and MMC as a Novel Anti-Scarring Strategy for Glaucoma Filtration Surgery.
abstract: The complementary effects of mitomycin-C (MMC) and anti-placental growth factor (PlGF) therapy were explored and compared to the combined administration of MMC and aflibercept. Additionally, the effect of PlGF (inhibition) on IOP was investigated, since aqueous PlGF is known to be upregulated in glaucoma patients.
  
  
  
  In the trabeculectomy mouse model, intracameral injection(s) of the PlGF inhibitor (5D11D4) were compared to MMC or aflibercept and to the combination of both compounds. Treatment outcome was studied by bleb investigation and by Sirius Red staining. The effect of subconjunctival PlGF administration and topical 5D11D4 on IOP was investigated in normotensive mice and was compared to topical administration of latanoprost, the gold standard for IOP-lowering.
  
  
  
  Combination of MMC and 5D11D4 was able to significantly improve surgical outcome compared to monotherapy of MMC or 5D11D4 (n = 20; P < 0.001). Compared to combined treatment of MMC with aflibercept, the simultaneous administration of MMC and 5D11D4 was equally efficacious in improving surgical outcome (n = 15; P = 0.88). In normotensive mice, 5D11D4 was able to significantly reduce the IOP-elevation induced by PlGF (n = 10; P < 0.05), whereas no effect of 5D11D4 was seen in naive mice, which was in contrast to latanoprost.
  
  
  
  The current data suggest that application of MMC together with PlGF inhibition may have complementary effects in the improvement of surgical outcome and is equally efficacious as the combined treatment of MMC and aflibercept. Inhibition of PlGF also might open alternative perspectives as IOP-lowering strategy for glaucoma patients with increased aqueous PlGF levels.
authors.affiliation: ThromboGenics NV Heverlee, Belgium 2Laboratory of Ophthalmology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Bergen
authors.affiliation: ThromboGenics NV Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jonckx
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ophthalmology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium 3Department of Biology, Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lieve
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moons
authors.affiliation: ThromboGenics NV Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean H M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Feyen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ophthalmology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stalmans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018463:Filtering Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; C052788:platelet inhibitory factor; D016685:Mitomycin