Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and 2α in choroidal neovascular membranes associated with age-related macular degeneration
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Yuji Inoue or Yasuo Yanagi, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; yino-tky{at}umin.ac.jp or yanagi-tky{at}umin.ac.jp
- Accepted 1 March 2007
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) play pivotal roles in angiogenesis. However, their involvement in choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) is still unknown. This study investigates the distribution of HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins in six CNVMs associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By means of immunohistochemical analysis, HIF-1α and HIF-2α were detected in 5 and 6 eyes, respectively. Endothelial cells and macrophages were immunostained by both HIF-1α and HIF-2α antibodies, whereas no staining was observed in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Our study raises the possibility that HIF-1α and HIF-2α are involved in CNV formation.
HIF-1α and HIF-2α are transcription factors that transactivate the expression of pro-angiogenic genes in response to hypoxic conditions, and play important roles in vasculogenesis …
