AT1 receptor inhibition prevents astrocyte degeneration and restores vascular growth in oxygen-induced retinopathy

Abstract

We investigated the effect of receptor blockade induced by an angiotensin II type-1 receptor antagonist (AT1-RB) on glial and vascular changes in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), a model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). OIR was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by exposure to 80% oxygen from postnatal (P) days 0-11, followed by 7 days in room air. Control animals were in room air for the entire duration. One cohort of OIR and control pups received the AT1-RB valsartan (40 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal) from P11 to P18. The vascular response was examined immunocytochemically using retinal wholemounts and vertical sections labeled with endothelial (Isolectin-B4) and pericyte (NG2, desmin) marker..