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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
A Mouse Model for Laser-induced Choroidal Neovascularization
Published on: December 27, 2015
Artesunate mitigates choroidal neovascularization and scar formation
Nader Sheibani1, Yong-Seok Song2, Mitra Farnoodian3
1McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, USA.
Artesunate reduces pathological eye neovascularization and fibrosis. This compound inhibits choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and scar formation, offering a potential new therapy for vision-threatening diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Angiogenesis is crucial for eye development but drives ocular diseases like neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
- Current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies for nAMD have limitations, including incomplete response and failure to prevent fibrosis.
- Persistent neovascularization and fibrosis lead to progressive vision loss in nAMD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects of artesunate on choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
- To evaluate artesunate's potential as a therapeutic agent for nAMD and related fibrotic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Assessed artesunate's effect on choroidal endothelial cell (ChEC) migration, inflammatory, and fibrotic factor expression in vitro.
- Utilized a choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) explant assay to measure artesunate's impact on angiogenesis.
- Induced and evaluated laser photocoagulation-induced CNV in vivo to determine artesunate's efficacy in inhibiting neovascularization and fibrosis.
Main Results:
- Artesunate significantly decreased ChEC migration and expression of inflammatory and fibrotic factors.
- In vitro and ex vivo assays showed artesunate reduced angiogenesis and sprouting.
- In vivo studies demonstrated that artesunate significantly inhibited CNV formation and associated fibrosis, potentially by reducing mononuclear phagocyte recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Artesunate exhibits potent anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic properties relevant to ocular diseases.
- The findings suggest artesunate is a promising therapeutic candidate for inhibiting CNV and fibrosis in nAMD.
- Further research into artesunate's mechanism and clinical efficacy is warranted for treating vision-threatening neovascular eye conditions.
