Inhibition of Corneal Neovascularization by Subconjunctival Injection of alphaVbeta5 Integrin Antibody in Rabbit

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of a subconjunctival injection of alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody on corneal angiogenesis induced by chemical epithelial denudation in a rabbit eye model. METHODS: One week after debridement by heptanol, rabbits were treated with a subconjunctival injection of alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody or control immunoglobulin G weekly for 2 weeks. Rabbits that did not receive injection after debridement served as the untreated group. The percentage of neovascularized corneal area was calculated by biomicroscopy, and the sectioned area and number of new vessels were calculated by histological examinations. RESULTS: At 7 days after the first injection, alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody-treated eyes had 9.5% (P=0.02) and 6.8% (P=0.03) less neovascularized corneal area than vector-treated eyes and untreated eyes, respectively. At 7 days after the second injection, alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody-treated eyes had 21.1% (P=0.02) and 18.3% (P=0.02) less neovascularized corneal area than vector-treated eyes and untreated eyes, respectively. Light microscopic examination showed a smaller neovascularized corneal area and a reduced number of new vessels in the alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody-treated eyes compared to the control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival injection of alphaVbeta5 integrin antibody effectively reduces experimental corneal neovascularization induced by chemical injury, and could be used as a corneal angiogenesis inhibitor in the future.