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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

An Alkali-burn Injury Model of Corneal Neovascularization in the Mouse
Published on: April 7, 2014
Agents that bind annexin A2 suppress ocular neovascularization
Raquel Lima e Silva1, Jikui Shen, Yuan Yuan Gong
1Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-9277, USA.
TM601, a scorpion venom-derived polypeptide, effectively suppresses ocular neovascularization (NV) by targeting annexin A2. This novel therapeutic agent shows promise in treating blinding eye diseases by reducing abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ocular neovascularization (NV) is a major cause of vision loss.
- TM601, a synthetic polypeptide from scorpion venom, targets annexin A2 and inhibits tumor angiogenesis.
- Annexin A2 is upregulated in ocular NV but not in normal ocular vessels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of TM601 in preclinical models of ocular neovascularization (NV).
- To determine the therapeutic potential of TM601 for blinding eye diseases.
Main Methods:
- TM601 was administered via intraocular, intravenous, or periocular injections in rodent models of ocular NV.
- Effects on choroidal and retinal NV, endothelial cell apoptosis, and vascular permeability were assessed.
- Immunostaining was used to confirm TM601 binding and co-localization with annexin A2.
Main Results:
- TM601 significantly suppressed the development of choroidal and retinal NV.
- Treatment with TM601 induced apoptosis of endothelial cells and regression of established NV.
- TM601 reduced vascular endothelial growth factor-induced vascular permeability and selectively bound to NV tissues.
Conclusions:
- TM601 effectively suppresses and causes regression of ocular NV by targeting annexin A2.
- TM601 reduces ocular vascular leakage, offering potential as a novel treatment for neovascular eye diseases.
- Annexin A2 is a viable therapeutic target for treating blinding conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
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