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Vascular endothelial growth factors and placenta growth factor in retinal vasculopathies: Current research and future perspectives

Authors :
João Paulo Castro-de-Sousa
Luís A. Passarinha
Arminda Neves
Sara Vaz-Pereira
Cândida T. Tomaz
Joana Mesquita
Source :
Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos), Agência para a Sociedade do Conhecimento (UMIC)-FCT-Sociedade da Informação, instacron:RCAAP
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Vision loss due to disease or degeneration of the eye (retina, choroid, retinal veins, or macula) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In most cases, vision-threatening ocular diseases are accompanied by abnormal changes in the vasculature of the eye, especially the retina, and these conditions are collectively referred to as retinal vasculopathies. Impaired blood supply or hypoxia stimulates angiogenesis in the vascular and non-vascular sections of the eye, which results in neovascularization, leading to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. Studies show that vascular endothelial growth factors: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF) are elevated in these diseases, and hence, these factors could be used as markers for disease prognosis and therapy. In this review, we discuss the function of these growth factors in normal development and disease, with focus on ocular disorders and emphasize the importance of accurately determining their levels in the vitreous and serum of patients for correct diagnosis and therapy.

Details

ISSN :
18790305
Volume :
39
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Cytokinegrowth factor reviews
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....950583a29f099a2d75cb1ce57260535a