Retinal angiogenesis is mediated by an interaction between the angiotensin type 2 receptor, VEGF, and angiopoietin

Abstract

There is evidence that angiotensin II, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, and their cognate receptors participate in retinal angiogenesis. We investigated whether angiotensin type 2-receptor blockade (AT2-RB) reduces retinal angiogenesis and alters the expression of VEGF/VEGF-R2 and angiopoietin-Tie2. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was induced in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by exposure to 80% oxygen from postnatal (P) days 0 to 11, followed by 7 days in room air. ROP shams were in room air from P0-18. A group of ROP rats received the AT2-RB, PD123319, by mini-osmotic pump (5 mg/kg/day) from P11-18 (angiogenesis period). Evaluation of the retinal status of the AT2 recept..