Selenium nanoparticles attenuate retinal pathological angiogenesis by disrupting cell cycle distribution

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Nanomedicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a leading cause of vision loss.
• Current treatments for RNV have limitations, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
• Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have emerged as potential therapeutic agents due to their unique properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanism by which selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) inhibit retinal neovascularization (RNV).
• To evaluate the efficacy of SeNPs as a potential treatment for pathological RNV.
• To identify novel therapeutic targets for RNV intervention.

Main Methods:

• Characterization and identification of synthesized SeNPs.
• In vitro and in vivo studies on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy.
• Assessment of cell proliferation using tritium-labeled thymine.
• Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting to elucidate molecular mechanisms.

Main Results:

• SeNPs significantly inhibit vascular endothelial cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.
• SeNPs modulate cell cycle-related protein expression via the PI3K-AKT-p21 axis.
• Inhibition of the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase was observed.

Conclusions:

• SeNPs demonstrate significant inhibitory effects on retinal neovascularization.
• The mechanism involves the regulation of the PI3K-AKT-p21 pathway, affecting cell cycle progression.
• SeNPs represent a promising novel therapeutic approach for managing pathological RNV.