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Pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity

Lois E H Smith1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02153, USA. Lois.Smith@tch.harvard.edu

Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society
|May 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Low insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in premature infants predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Restoring IGF-I may prevent this major cause of childhood blindness.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.
  • ROP involves delayed retinal vascular growth and subsequent neovascularization.
  • Both oxygen-regulated and non-oxygen-regulated factors influence retinal vascular development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
  • To determine if low IGF-I levels are associated with ROP development in premature infants.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of serum IGF-I levels in premature infants with and without ROP.
  • Review of existing literature on growth factors in retinal vascularization.
  • Examination of IGF-I's effect on VEGF-induced pathways in vitro.

Main Results:

  • Lack of IGF-I in knockout mice impaired retinal vascular growth despite VEGF presence.
  • Low IGF-I levels inhibited VEGF-induced Akt activation in vitro.
  • Premature infants who developed ROP had significantly lower serum IGF-I levels.

Conclusions:

  • IGF-I is crucial for normal retinal vascular development.
  • Low serum IGF-I is a predictor of ROP in premature infants.
  • Therapeutic restoration of IGF-I may offer a strategy for ROP prevention.

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