Doxycycline's effect on ocular angiogenesis: an in vivo analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Angiogenesis Research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and pterygium growth involve abnormal blood vessel formation.
• Doxycycline, an antibiotic, has demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties in previous studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vivo efficacy of doxycycline in inhibiting choroidal angiogenesis and pterygium development.
• Utilized three distinct murine models: a CNV model, a directed in vivo angiogenesis assay (DIVAA), and a pterygium model.

Main Methods:

• Mice received doxycycline in drinking water or plain water.
• CNV model: Assessed neovascular lesion volume via confocal microscopy.
• DIVAA model: Quantified neovascularization using spectrofluorometry after implanting pterygium epithelial cells.
• Pterygium model: Evaluated corneal lesions histologically after subconjunctival injection of pterygium cells.

Main Results:

• Doxycycline significantly reduced choroidal blood vessel volume in the CNV model by up to 66%.
• A 30% reduction in blood vessel growth and migration was observed in the DIVAA model with doxycycline treatment.
• Histological analysis showed regression of pterygium lesions in mice treated with doxycycline.

Conclusions:

• Doxycycline demonstrated significant inhibition of angiogenesis across all three murine models.
• The most pronounced effects were observed in the CNV and DIVAA models, with regression noted in the pterygium model.
• These findings suggest doxycycline's potential as an adjunctive treatment for human CNV and pterygia, warranting clinical trials.