Ophthalmology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ophthalmology, including details on eye surgery, myopia, cataracts. | ||||||||
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Antipermeability and antiproliferative effects of standard and frozen bevacizumab on choroidal endothelial cells.Peters S, Julien S, Heiduschka P, Grisanti S, Ziemssen F, Adler M, Schraermeyer U, Bartz-Schmidt KU University Eye Hospital, Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen, Schleichstrasse 12, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany. swaantje.peters@gmx.de BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is an antiangiogenic compound developed to target tumour vessels. Its off-label use in ophthalmology requires in vitro testing on ocular cells. AIM: To quantify the antipermeability and antiproliferative effects of bevacizumab on cultured choroidal endothelial cells (CECs). It was examined whether deep-freezing of bevacizumab attenuates its antiangiogenic activity. METHODS: Porcine CECs were cultured in permeable insert systems. Permeability of the cell monolayers was quantified by a fluorescent isothiocyanate-dextran assay after treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; 20-100 ng/ml) alone and in combination with bevacizumab (0.1-1 mg/ml). Proliferation of the CECs was tested using a "wound scratch" assay. The experiments were repeated with bevacizumab after freezing at -20 degrees C for 5 days. RESULTS: Bevacizumab significantly reduced VEGF-induced permeability in a dose-dependant manner. A molar ratio of 2.6:1 of bevacizumab to VEGF was required for complete blocking of VEGF-induced rise in permeability. CEC proliferation was significantly blocked by bevacizumab (0.5 mg/ml). Thawed bevacizumab after deep freezing showed a moderate, but not statistically significant loss in activity. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab significantly reduces VEGF-induced permeability and proliferation of CECs. Freezing and thawing of bevacizumab will affect its biological activity. Published 18 May 2007 in Br J Ophthalmol, 91(6): 827-31.
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