Effect of Triamcinolone on Angiogenesis-related Factors of Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of triamcinolone on angiogenesis related factors in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. METHODS: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were exposed to triamcinolone, cultured in a hypoxic environment, and expression and production of VEGF and PEDF were subsequently tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. Angiogenesis was measured via a tube formation assay using ECV 304 cells and with a migration assay using human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. RESULTS: Expression and production of VEGF and PEDF were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. VEGF abundance was reduced while that of PEDF was unchanged in triamcinolone exposed retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured in hypoxic environment compared with cells with no treatment in hypoxic environment (p<0.05). Tube formation and cell migration were reduced by triamcinolone (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that triamcinolone affects the secretion of angiogenesis-related factors and suppresses neovascularization.