Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Intravascular Delivery of Biologics to the Rat Kidney
Published on: September 1, 2016
The effect of angiostatin on vascular leakage and VEGF expression in rat retina
Jing Sima1, Sarah X Zhang, Chunkui Shao
1Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 941 Stanton L. Young Blvd., BSEB 328B, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Abstract:
Angiostatin is a potent angiogenic inhibitor. The present study identified a new activity of angiostatin: reducing vascular leakage, which is associated with diabetic macular edema, tumor growth and inflammation. An intravitreal injection of angiostatin significantly reduced retinal vascular permeability in rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy and in those with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but not in normal rats. Consistent with its effect on permeability, angiostatin downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the retina in both the rat models but not in normal controls. These results suggest that the effect of angiostatin on vascular leakage is mediated, at least in part, through blockade of VEGF overexpression.
Insights
Angiostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor, was found to reduce vascular leakage. This new activity may help treat conditions like diabetic macular edema by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Angiogenesis Research
- Diabetic Retinopathy
Background:
- Angiogenesis is crucial for pathological processes like diabetic macular edema.
- Angiostatin is a known inhibitor of blood vessel formation.
- Vascular leakage contributes to vision loss in several eye diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel function of angiostatin in reducing vascular leakage.
- To determine if angiostatin impacts retinal vascular permeability in disease models.
- To explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in angiostatin's effect.
Main Methods:
- Intravitreal injection of angiostatin in rat models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and diabetes.
- Measurement of retinal vascular permeability.
- Assessment of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in retinal tissues.
Main Results:
- Angiostatin significantly reduced retinal vascular permeability in both disease models.
- Angiostatin did not affect vascular permeability in normal rats.
- Angiostatin downregulated VEGF expression in the retinas of diseased rats, but not normal rats.
Conclusions:
- Angiostatin exhibits a novel activity in reducing vascular leakage.
- This effect is likely mediated, in part, by blocking VEGF overexpression.
- Angiostatin shows potential for treating vascular leakage associated with diabetic macular edema and other conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis