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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Research in Corneal Opacity Treatment and Regeneration
Published on: August 4, 2023
Nitric oxide synthase-II is expressed in severe corneal alkali burns and inhibits neovascularization
F Sennlaub1, Y Courtois, O Goureau
1Développement, Vieillissement et Pathologie de la Rétine, U450, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Claude Bernard, Paris, France. fsennlau@infobiogen.fr
Purpose:
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-II) is expressed in many inflammatory conditions. The implication of nitric oxide (NO) in angiogenesis remains controversial. The role of NOS-II and its influence on angiogenesis in corneal neovascularization is unknown and was investigated in this study.
Methods:
A mouse model of corneal neovascularization induced by chemical cauterization was used. NOS-II mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and NOS-II protein was studied in situ by immunohistochemical analysis of the cornea. The influence of NOS-II on neovascularization was determined by comparison of vessel development in "normal" wild-type mice and mice with a targeted disruption of the NOS-II gene.
Results:
NOS-II mRNA was induced to very high levels after corneal cauterization and remained upregulated throughout the disease. Migratory cells in the center of the cauterization area expressed NOS-II protein. The neovascular response in mice lacking the NOS-II gene was significantly stronger than in wild-type mice, and the difference increased over time.
Conclusions:
These data are the first evidence that NOS-II is expressed in this model of sterile corneal inflammation. NOS-II expression inhibited angiogenesis in severe corneal alkali burns.
