Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Potential contribution of mobilized circulating endothelial progenitor cells to development of retinal
Insights
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Their numbers decrease as abnormal blood vessels in preterm infants regress, suggesting systemic mobilization plays a role in ROP pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of visual impairment in preterm infants.
- Abnormal blood vessel formation (neovascularization) is a hallmark of proliferative ROP.
- The role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in ROP pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the development of abnormal blood vessel formation in preterm infants with ROP.
- To compare EPC counts and related growth factors during active ROP and remission phases.
Main Methods:
- Studied 29 preterm infants with proliferative ROP (grade 3+).
- Quantified CD133+/CD34+/CD144+ EPCs in peripheral blood via flow cytometry.
- Measured plasma levels of SDF-1, VEGF, and IGF-1 using ELISA at two time points: active ROP and post-remission.
Main Results:
- EPC counts were significantly lower during the remission phase compared to the proliferative phase in the same infants.
- Plasma SDF-1 levels were markedly reduced during remission and positively correlated with EPC counts.
- These findings suggest a dynamic role for circulating EPCs in ROP.
Conclusions:
- Circulating endothelial progenitor cell counts decrease with the regression of neovascularization in ROP.
- Pathological blood vessel formation in ROP may involve systemic EPC mobilization, not solely local endothelial proliferation.
- EPCs represent a potential therapeutic target for managing ROP.
Purpose:
To investigate the role of endothelial progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of abnormal blood vessel formation in preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity.
Material And Methods:
A total of 29 preterm infants with proliferative stage of retinopathy of prematurity and neovascularizatio (grade 3 or higher) were involved in this study. The CD133+/CD34+/CD144+ EPC count in peripheral blood was measured b flow cytometry. Plasma levels of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All cellular and biochemical measurements were performed twice in the same neonate: i) initially, during the proliferative phase of ROP, and ii) subsequently, during the remission after a successful retinal photocoagulation and regression of pathological blood vessels.
Results:
The endothelial progenitor cells count significantly decreased during the remission phase, compared to the proliferative phase of retinopathy of prematurity in the same neonates. The SDF-1 plasma level was found to be markedly lower during the remission stage and positively correlated with the endothelial progenitor cell count in peripheral blood.
Conclusions:
The endothelial progenitor cell count in peripheral blood of preterm infants significantly decreased with the regression of abnormal vasculature in the neonate retina. This may indicate that pathological blood vessel formation during the proliferative phase of retinopathy of prematurity results not only from local endothelial proliferation but also from the systemic endothelial progenitor cell mobilization.
