Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1alpha(HIF-1alpha) in the Experimental Model of Choroidal Neovascularization

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha(HIF-1alpha) in the choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) was investigated. METHODS: CNV was induced in the eyes of Brown Norway rats by 545 nm argon laser photocoagulation into the eye, and fluorescein angiography (FAG) was performed to identify the early hyperfluorescence and the late leakage after 2 weeks of the photocoagulation. Three days after FAG, the eyeball was harvested and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and HIF-1alpha was identified by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 37 photocoagulation sites of the eyes showed CNV formation on FAG. Immunohistochemical staining of the laser photocoagulation-induced CNV tissues revealed the expression of VEGF and HIF-1alpha in the sites. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the possibility of the involvement of HIF-1alpha in the VEGF expression and the pathogenesis of CNV in the laser photocoagulation-induced CNV rat model.