Effects of intravitreal injection of netrin-1 in retinal neovascularization of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Yao Yu,1,2,* Jing Zou,3,* Yun Han,4 Luowa Quyang,4 Hui He,4 Peihong Hu,2 Yi Shao,2 Ping Tu11Nanchang Key Laboratory of Diabetes, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Hospital of Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Clinical Ophthalmology Institute, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 4Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China*These authors have contributed equally to this workBackground: In a previous study, we confirmed that netrin-1 acts as an antiangiogenic factor by inhibiting alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization in rats. Here, we continue working on the role of netrin-1 in retinal neovascularization.Methods: Using an in vitro angiogenesis assay, we detected the effects of netrin-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation, viability and proliferation, migration, and invasion at concentrations of 0.1 µg/mL or 5 µg/mL. We intravitreally injected 0.1 µg/mL or 5 µg/mL netrin-1 into streptozotocin-induced rats to assess retinal neovascularization using retinal electrophysiology and electroretinography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fundus fluoresce in angiography, measurement of inner blood retinal barrier, retinal hematoxylin-eosin staining, and retinal flat-mount fluorescence assays.Results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation, viability and proliferation, migration, and invasion were upregulated by netrin-1 at a concentration of 0.1 µg/mL (P