Objective Tissue engineered bone implanted with sensory nerve can effectively promote angiogenesis and repair of bone defects. To investigate the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for further revealing the mechanism of tissue engineered bone implanted with sensory nerve promoting angiogenesis. Methods HUVECs were collected from human umbilical core, and identified through von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31 immunofluorescence. The HUVECs were treated with CGRP and were ivided into 6 groups according to CGRP concentration: group A (0 mol/L), group B (1 × 10—12 mol/L), group C (1 × 10—11 mol/L), group D (1 × 10—10 mol/L), group E (1 × 10—9 mol/L), and group F (1 × 10—8 mol/L). The expression of the CGRP1 receptor (CGRP1R) was observed in HUVECs by cell immunofluorescence. The growth rate of HUVECs was detected through AlarmarBlue at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days. Transwell chamber was used to detect the abil ity of cell migration. ELISA assay was used to detect the vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and the protein expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was examined using Western blot. Results HUVECs were identified through morphology, vWF and CD31 immunofluorescence. HUVECs expressed CGRP1R. CGRP could stimulate HUVECs prol iferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manners; the cell growth rates of groups B-F were significantly higher than that of group A at all time (P lt; 0.05); group F had highest cell growth rate. The number of cell migration of group B-F was significantly higher than that of group A (P lt; 0.05), which increased more than 3 times. Groups B-F had higher amount of VEGF than group A (P lt; 0.05), and groups C and D had highest amount of VEGF. FAK expression of groups B-F was significantly increased at 3, 7, and 10 days after CGRP treatment when compared with group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion CGRP may enhance the proliferation and migration of HUVECs by increasing the secretion of VEGF and expression of FAK.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs combined with retinal laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF drugs alone in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) combined with macular edema (ME). MethodsA evidence-based medicine study. Retinal vein occlusion (obstruction), macular edema, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, conbercept, aflibercept, and retinal laser photocoagulation were the Chinese and English search terms. Related literature was searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Weipu, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library. RVO combined with ME was selected as the research object, and the treatment plan was a clinical randomized controlled study comparing intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs combined with laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF drugs alone. The search time range was from January 2011 to February 2021. Repeated, incomplete or irrelevant literature, case reports and review literature were excluded. Review Manager 5.4 statistical software was used to conduct a meta-analysis of the literature. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were selected as the estimated value of effect size, and the fixed effect model was used for analysis. The evaluation indicators were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), center macular thickness (CMT), and the number of injections. ResultsAccording to the search strategy, 461 articles were initially retrieved, and 21 articles were finally included for meta-analysis. A total of 1156 patients were enrolled, of which 576 were treated with anti-VEGF drugs combined with laser photocoagulation (combined treatment group), and 580 were treated with anti-VEGF drugs alone (drug treatment group). Meta-analysis results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA and CMT between the drug treatment group and the combination treatment group at 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment (BCVA: WMD =－0.82, 95%CI －2.38-0.74, P=0.30; CMT: WMD=－3.12, 95%CI －17.25-11.01, P=0.67). For patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and ME, combined therapy can reduce the number of injections more effectively than drug therapy alone (WMD=－0.80, 95% CI －1.18-－0.42, Z=4.10, P＜0.000 1). ConclusionCompared with pure intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, combined retinal laser photocoagulation can not better improve BCVA and CMT in patients with RVO and ME. For patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and ME, combined retinal laser photocoagulation can effectively reduce the resistance. The number of VEGF injections.
ObjectiveTo review the outcome of intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) complicated with vitreous hemorrhage (VH). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From March 1, 2016 to April 1, 2022, 18 patients (19 eyes) diagnosed with XLRS complicated with vitreous hemorrhage in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University of Eye Center were included. All the patients were male, with a median age of 7.05±3.8 years. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and wide-angle fundus photography were performed in all the patients. BCVA was carried out using international standard visual acuity chart, and converted into logarithm of minimum resolution angle (logMAR) in statistics analysis. According to whether the patients received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR), the patients were divided into injection group and observation group, with 11 eyes in 10 cases and 8 eyes in 8 cases, respectively. In the injection group, 0.025 ml of 10 mg/ml ranibizumab (including 0.25 mg of ranibizumab) was injected into the vitreous cavity of the affected eye. Follow-up time after treatment was 24.82±20.77 months. The VH absorption time, visual acuity changes and complications were observed in the injection group after treatment. Paired sample t test was used to compare BCVA before and after VH and IVR treatment. Independent sample t test was used to compare the VH absorption time between the injection group and the observation group. ResultsLogMAR BCVA before and after VH were 0.73±0.32 and 1.80±0.77, respectively. BCVA decreased significantly after VH (t=－3.620, P=0.006). LogMAR BCVA after VH and IVR were 1.87±0.55 and 0.62±0.29, respectively. BCVA was significantly improved after IVR treatment (t=6.684, P＜0.001). BCVA records were available in 5 eyes before and after IVR, and the BCVA values after VH and IVR were 0.58±0.31 and 0.48±0.20, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (t=1.000, P=0.374). BCVA increased in 1 eye and remained unchanged in 4 eyes after treatment. BCVA records were available in 5 eyes before VH and after VH absorption in the 8 eyes of the observation group. LogMAR BCVA before VH and after VH absorption were 0.88±0.28 and 0.90±0.26, respectively, with no significant difference (t=－1.000, P=0.374). After VH absorption, BCVA remained unchanged in 4 eyes and decreased in 1 eye. The absorption time of VH in the injection group and the observation group were 1.80±1.06 and 7.25±5.04 months, respectively. The absorption time of VH was significantly shorter in the injection group than in the observation group, the difference was statistically significant (t=－3.005, P=0.018). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that IVR treatment was significantly correlated with VH absorption time (B=－6.66, 95% confidence interval －10.93-－2.39, t=－3.40, P=0.005). In the injection group, VH recurrence occurred in 1 eye after IVR treatment. Vitrectomy (PPV) was performed in one eye. In the 8 eyes of the observation group, VH recurrence occurred in 2 eyes, subsequent PPV in 1 eye. The rate of VH recurrence and PPV was lower in the injection group, however, the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.576, 1.000). In terms of complications, minor subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred in 2 eyes and minor corneal epithelial injury occurred in 1 eye in the injection group, and all recovered spontaneously within a short time. In the injection group, 9 eyes had wide-angle fundus photography before and after IVR treatment. There was no significant change in the range of peripheral retinoschisis after treatment. No obvious proliferative vitreoretinopathy, infectious endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, macular hole, complicated cataract, secondary glaucoma or other serious complications were found in all the treated eyes, and there were no systemic complications. ConclusionIntravitreous anti-VEGF treatment may accelerate the absorption of vitreous hemorrhage in patients with XLRS. No impact is found regarding to the peripheral retinoschisis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and complications associated with the use of ranibizumab in the treatment of ZoneⅠand ZoneⅡretinopathy of prematurity (ROP). MethodsData from patients of ROP who had received intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections in Peking University People's Hospital for the treatment of ROP from July 2012 to December 2013 were collected. In total, 151 eyes from 85 patients (56 male and 29 female) were analyzed. The mean birth weight was (1438.6±334.5) g (range:790-2280 g), mean gestational age was (30.1±2.0) weeks (range:25-37 weeks), mean age at the time of intervention was (37.0±6.2) gestational weeks (range:32-45 weeks), mean follow-up was (4.9±3.3) months (range:1.4-20.8 months). The main outcome measures were the regression of ROP and the complications that were associated with the IVR injections. ResultsAfter receiving IVR injections, 120 eyes (79.5%) exhibited ROP regression after single injection. Twenty-six eyes (17.2%) required additional laser treatment for ROP regression after the absence of a positive response to the IVR injections. Five eyes (3%) progressed to stage 4 ROP and required vitrectomy to reattach the retinas. Fifty of 120 eyes which were regressed after single IVR had recurrence of ROP and need additional laser or additional IVR. All of the eyes (100.0%) had attached retinas after the various treatments that they received. No notable systemic complications related to the IVR injections were observed. ConclusionsIVR injection seems to be an effective and well-tolerated method to treat ZoneⅠand ZoneⅡROP. Recurrence of ROP is common and long-term follow up may be needed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prognosis and differences of visual function and fundus structure in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (VEGF) or laser photocoagulation treatment with long-term follow-up. MethodsRetrospective case control series. From January 2010 to December 2021, A total of 35 children (63 eyes) with ROP who were first diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital and followed up for as long as 5 years were included. Among them, 21 males (36 eyes) and 15 females (27 eyes) were enrolled. The average gestational age (GA) of the children at birth was 29.30±1.77 weeks. Among the included 12 aggressive ROP (A-ROP) eyes and 51 pre-threshold type 1 ROP eyes, no retinal detachment occurred. Each eye received only intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents or laser monotherapy after diagnosis, and divided into anti-VEGF group or laser group according to the treatment. Thirty-five eyes of 20 infants were included in the anti-VEGF group and 28 eyes of 15 infants were included in the laser group. GA, birth weight (BW) and postmenstrual age receiving first treatment were compared and no significant difference between the two groups was defined (P=0.844, 0.859, 0.694). The number of A-ROP, pre-threshold type 1 ROP eyes were also compared, and statistically significance can be defined (P=0.005). During the follow-up period, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive status, visual field, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) were performed. The BCVA examination was carried out using the international standard decimal visual acuity chart, which was converted into the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistics. Refractive status was calculated as spherical equivalent (SE). Comparative observation of 5-year outcomes including BW, GA, fundus examination at the initial diagnosis, and BCVA, refractive status, visual field defect, central foveal thickness (CFT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and abnormality of peripheral retina in FFA were performed between the two groups. Differences between groups were compared using t test or nonparametric test for measurement data, and χ2 test was used for comparison between groups in enumeration data. ResultsFive years after treatment, retinal avascular areas were seen around the eyes in the anti-VEGF treatment group, with a size of 2.32±1.84 optic disc diameters, and 1 eye had fluorescein leakage at the junction of the peripheral avascular areas; eyes in the laser treatment group old photocoagulation spots were seen in the peripheral retina, and no fluorescein leakage was seen. The logMAR BCVA of the eyes in the anti-VEGF treatment group and laser treatment group were 0.15 (0.00, 0.20), 0.10 (0.00, 0.16), respectively; SE were 0.50 (－1.25, 1.31), 0.38 (－4.25, 1.75) D, respectively; mean defect (MD) values of visual field were 2.70 (1.20, 4.80), 4.25 (2.83, 6.98) dB; CFT, SFCT were 225.00±29.31, 287.18±68.56 μm and 237.17±32.81, 279.79±43.61 μm. There was no significant difference in logMAR BCVA, CFT and SFCT between the two groups (P=0.363, 0.147, 0.622); the lower quartile of SE and visual field MD value in the laser treatment group were significantly higher than those in the laser treatment group, but there was no significant difference in the median SE (P=0.109), and there was a statistically significant difference in the median MD value of the visual field (P=0.037). ConclusionsAnti-VEGF agents and laser therapy can achieve similar good visual prognosis for early ROP, and the peripheral visual field can be preserved to a greater extent, however, the peripheral visual field defect in the laser group is more significant than that in the anti-VEGF group. For ROP without retinal detachment, the thickness of the retina and choroid in the fovea is generally normal.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the main reasons causing blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy. In recent years, with the recognition of the pathogenic role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in DME, many clinical trials of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs have been carried out at home and abroad, proving that it has significant effects in improving visual acuity and reducing macular edema, and has become the first-line treatment of DME. However, there are still many challenges in routine clinical application of anti-VEGF drugs, such as frequent injections, insensitivity to treatment, and it is unclear whether repeated injections will cause damage to retina. The pathophysiological process of DME is very complicated, in addition to VEGF, there are many inflammatory factors and growth factors involved. Clinical trials of long-acting anti-VEGF agents, drugs of other targets and gene therapy are also being carried out. It is believed that with the in-depth research and progress of clinical trials, the gradual application of anti-VEGF drugs, other drugs and therapy in clinical practice are just around the corner, which is expected to provide more convenient and effective treatments for DME patients in the future.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and evaluate the effect and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Sichuan province. MethodsA retrospective study. From January 2013 to January 2022, 156 patients (306 eyes) with ROP who received intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for the first time in the Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were selected. According to the type of anti-VEGF drugs, the children were divided into intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) group and intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) group; IVC group was divided into hospital group and referral group according to the different paths of patients. After treatment, the patients were followed up until the disease degenerated (vascular degeneration or complete retinal vascularization) or were hospitalized again for at least 6 months. If the disease recurred or progressed, the patients were re-admitted to the hospital and received anti-VEGF drug treatment, laser treatment or surgical treatment according to the severity of the disease. Clinical data of these children was collected, including general clinical characteristics: gender, gestational age at birth (GA), birth weight (BW), history of oxygen inhalation; pathological condition: ROP stage, zone, whether there were plus lesions; treatment: treatment time, postmenstrual gestational age at the time of the first anti-VEGF drug treatment; prognosis: re-treat or not, time of re-treatment, mode of re-treatment; adverse events: corneal edema, lens opacity, endophthalmitis, retinal injury, and treatment-related systemic adverse reactions. The measurement data between groups were compared by t test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test or rank sum test. ResultsOf the 306 eyes of 156 children with ROP, 74 were male (47.44%, 74/156) and 82 were female (52.56%, 82/156). Each included child had a history of oxygen inhalation at birth. The GA was (28.43±2.19) (23.86-36.57) weeks, BW was (1 129±335) (510-2 600) g, and the postmenstrual gestational age was (39.80±3.04) (31.71-49.71) weeks at the time of the first anti-VEGF drug treatment. All patients were diagnosed as type 1 ROP, including 26 eyes (8.50%, 26/306) of aggressive ROP (A-ROP), 39 eyes (12.74%, 39/306) of zone Ⅰ lesions, and 241 eyes (78.76%, 241/306) of zone Ⅱ lesions. The children were treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs within 72 hours after diagnosis. Among them, 134 eyes (43.79%, 134/306) of 68 patients were treated with IVR, and 172 eyes (56.21%, 172/306) of 88 patients were treated with IVC. In IVC group, 67 eyes of 34 patients (38.95%, 67/172) were in the hospital group and 105 eyes of 54 patients (61.05%, 105/172) were in the referral group. 279 eyes (91.18%, 279/306) were improved after one treatment, 15 eyes (4.90%, 15/306) were improved after two treatments, and 12 eyes (3.92%, 12/306) were improved after three treatments. The one-time cure rate of IVR group was lower than that of IVC group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=1.665, P=0.197). In different ROP categories, IVC showed better therapeutic effect in A-ROP, and its one-time cure rate was higher than that in IVR group, with statistically significant difference (χ2=7.797, P<0.05). In the hospital group of IVC group, the GA, BW and the postmenstrual gestational age at first time of anti-VEGF drug treatment were lower than those in the referral group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=－2.485, －2.940, －3.796; P<0.05). The one-time cure rate of the hospital group and the referral group were 94.94%, 92.38%, respectively. The one-time cure rate of the hospital group was slightly higher than that of the referral group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.171, P=0.679). In this study, there were no ocular and systemic adverse reactions related to drug or intravitreal injection in children after treatment. ConclusionsCompared with the characteristics of ROP in developed countries, the GA, BW and postmenstrual gestational age of the children in Sichuan province are higher. Both IVR and IVC can treat ROP safely and effectively. There is no significant difference between the two drugs in the overall one-time cure effect of ROP, but IVC performed better in the treatment of A-ROP in this study.
ObjectiveTo observe the relationship between the response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug treatment and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From August 2019 to September 2020, 103 eyes of 103 wAMD patients diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 59 males (57.28%, 59/103) and 44 females (42.72%, 44/103); the average age was 68.74±7.74 years. The standard logarithmic visual acuity chart was used to detect the Best Corrected Visual Acuity of the affected eye and converted to the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. Optical coherence tomography was used to detect the central retinal thickness (CRT) of the affected eye. At the same time, the patient's high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was tested. All eyes were treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs once a month for 3 months. Before the initial treatment, peripheral venous blood from the patient were collected. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), complement C3 gene (C3), complement factor H (CFH), liver lipase (LIPC), cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), ATP binding cassette subfamily a member 1 (ABCA1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid desaturation gene cluster (FADS1) SNP. According to gene frequency, genotypes are divided into wild type and mutant type were detected. Qualitative data such as the frequency difference of the genotype distribution in the clinical phenotype and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the genotype distribution were compared with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. ResultsThere were fewer CRT responders in IL-8 rs4073 mutant (TA+AA) patients than wild-type (TT) [odds ratio (OR)=0.310, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.106-0.910, P＜0.05). Among them, after the drug stratification test, the proportion of patients with IL-8 rs4073 locus TT genotype in the conbercept treatment group was less CRT non-responders (OR=0.179, 95% CI=0.034-0.960, P=0.033). Patients with LIPC rs2043085 mutant (CT+TT) with BCVA increased ≥0.2 logMAR are more likely than wild-type (CC) (OR=3.031, 95% CI 1.036-8.867, P＜0.05); HDL-C level was significantly lower Compared with wild type (CC), the difference was statistically significant (t=2.448, P=0.016). There was no significant difference in logMAR BCVA and CRT between IL-8 rs4073, LIPC rs2043085 mutant and wild-type patients before treatment (IL-8 rs4073: Z=－0.198, －1.651; P=0.843, 0.099; LIPC rs2043085: Z=－0.532, －0.152; P=0.595, 0.879). C3 rs 225066, CFH rs800292, CETP rs708272, ABCA1 rs1883025, FADS1 rs174547, LPL rs12678919 have no correlation with anti-VEGF drug treatment response. Conclusions Patients with wAMD are treated with anti-VEGF drugs. Those with IL-8 rs4073 locus A genotype may be less responsive to CRT. LIPC rs2043085 locus T genotypes may be relatively more responsive to BCVA.
Anti-VEGF therapies have been widely used in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion with macular edema and other retinal diseases. It have achieved remarkable treatment effect with relatively high safety, but there are still reports of adverse reactions in cardio-cerebral vessels and eyes. There are many methods to measure retinal blood flow. Although the principles of these methods are different, the results are different, and there is no uniform standard, it has been observed that anti-VEGF drugs may cause some changes in retinal vessel diameter, arterial blood flow velocity and blood flow parameters. Especially after multiple injections, the effect may be more obvious.
ObjectiveTo observe the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image characteristics of polypoid choroidal vascular disease (PCV) after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, and to discuss its significance in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCV.MethodsA retrospective case study. From August 2018 to January 2020, 22 eyes of 22 patients with PCV diagnosed in the ophthalmological examination of Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University were included in the study. Among them, there were 10 males with 10 eyes and 12 females with 12 eyes; the average age was 67.75±9.53 years. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), OCTA, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed. All the affected eyes were injected vitreously with 10 mg/ml Conbercept 0.05 ml (including Conbercept 0.5 mg) once a month for 3 consecutive months.Tthe macular area of 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm with an OCTA instrument was scanned, and the foveal retinal thickness (CRT) was measured, the area of abnormal branch blood vessels (BVN). pigment epithelial detachment before and 12 months after treatment (PED) height, foveal choroid thickness (SFCT) were performed. The diagnosis rate of PCV by OCTA was observed, as well as the changes of various indicators of BCVA and OCTA. Before and after treatment, BCVA and CRT were compared by paired t test; BVN area, PED height, and SFCT were compared by variance analysis. The changes in imaging characteristics of OCTA before and after treatment were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 22 eyes, 8 eyes were BVN; 5 eyes were polypoid lesions (polyps); 5 eyes were BVN combined with polyps; 3 eyes were not found with BVN and polyps; 1 eye with small vascular network structure, this eye was ICGA Appears as strong nodular fluorescence (polyps). The detection rate of PCV by OCTA was 86.36% (19/22). Twelve months after treatment, BVN was significantly reduced or disappeared in 16 eyes (72.72%, 16/22); polyps disappeared in 17 eyes (77.27%, 17/22). Compared with before treatment, 12 months after treatment, BCVA increased (t=3.071), CRT decreased (t=2.440), the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05); the average BVN area, PED height, and SFCT decreased. The difference in average BVN area and PED height was statistically significant (F=2.805, 3.916; P＜0.05), and the difference in SFCT was not statistically significant (F=0.047, P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe detection rate of PCV by OCTA is 86.36%. After PCV anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug treatment, BVN area decrease and polyps subside. OCTA is an effective means for PCV diagnosis and follow-up after anti-VEGF drug treatment.