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Published on: April 3, 2016
Blockade of epidermal growth factor and its receptor and axial elongation in experimental myopia
Li Dong1, Xu Han Shi1, Yi Fan Li1
1Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
To examine the influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) on axial ocular elongation, we intraocularly injected an EGF antibody and an EGFR antibody into young guinea pigs with lens-induced axial elongation (myopization). Mean axial elongation was reduced in the eyes injected with the EGF/EGFR-antibody compared with the contralateral control eyes injected with PBS (phosphate-buffered solution) (0.43 ± 0.13 mm vs 0.53 ± 0.13 mm; P < .001). The intereye difference in axial length increased (P = .005) as the doses of the EGF antibody and EGFR antibody increased. As a corollary, the thickness of the retina at the posterior pole was dose-dependently increased in the injected eyes compared to the contralateral control eyes. Immunohistochemical staining for EGF and the relative mRNA expression of EGF and EGFR were the highest in eyes not injected with the EGF antibody or EGFR antibody and decreased (P < .05) as the dose of EGF antibody or EGFR antibody increased. In an in vitro study, EGF had a stimulating effect and the EGF antibody had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and migration of RPE cells. The findings showed that the intravitreal application of an EGF antibody and EGFR antibody is associated with a dose-dependent reduction in lens-induced axial elongation in young guinea pigs. The EGFR family may play a role in axial elongation of the eye and in the development of myopia.
Insights
Antibodies targeting epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) reduced lens-induced axial elongation in guinea pigs. This suggests the EGF/EGFR pathway influences eye growth and myopia development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Axial elongation of the eye is a primary cause of myopia.
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) are implicated in various cellular processes, including cell proliferation and migration.
- The role of the EGF/EGFR pathway in regulating eye growth and myopia development requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) on experimentally induced axial ocular elongation.
- To determine the potential of targeting the EGF/EGFR pathway as a therapeutic strategy for myopia.
Main Methods:
- Intraocular injection of EGF and EGFR antibodies in young guinea pigs with lens-induced axial elongation.
- Measurement of axial elongation and retinal thickness.
- Immunohistochemical staining for EGF and assessment of EGF/EGFR mRNA expression.
- In vitro study on the effect of EGF and its antibody on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell proliferation and migration.
Main Results:
- EGF/EGFR antibody injections significantly reduced mean axial elongation compared to control eyes (0.43 mm vs 0.53 mm).
- A dose-dependent increase in intereye difference in axial length and posterior pole retinal thickness was observed with increasing antibody doses.
- EGF/EGFR levels decreased with increasing antibody dosage, while in vitro studies showed EGF stimulated and EGF antibody inhibited RPE cell activity.
Conclusions:
- Intravitreal administration of EGF and EGFR antibodies dose-dependently reduces lens-induced axial elongation in young guinea pigs.
- The EGFR family signaling pathway appears to play a significant role in ocular axial elongation and the development of myopia.
- Targeting the EGF/EGFR pathway presents a potential therapeutic avenue for controlling myopia progression.
