Suppression of Retinal Neovascularization by Lentivirus-Mediated Netrin-1 Small Hairpin RNA

Objectives: The function of netrin-1 in pathological angiogenesis and its role in retinal neovascularization were investigated in the retinas of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice by inhibition of netrin-1. Methods: Expression of netrin-1 mRNA and protein in the retinas of OIR mice was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Inhibition of retinal neovascularization was achieved by lentivirus-mediated netrin-1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) infection. Retinal neovascularization was examined by fluorescein angiography and quantification of preretinal neovascular nuclei in retinal sections. Results: Both mRNA and protein expression of netrin-1 were significantly upregulated in postnatal day 17 OIR mouse retinas. Treatment of OIR mice with specific lentivirus-mediated netrin-1 shRNA dramatically reduced neovascular outgrowth into the inner limiting membrane. Neovascular tufts and nonperfused areas were also reduced. Conclusions: High expression of netrin-1 was detected in the retina under ischemic conditions and played a significant role in pathological retinal angiogenesis. Therefore, netrin-1 represents a potential therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and other ocular neovascular diseases. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel