Suppression of choroidal neovascularization in lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor type 1-deficient mice.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the role of the scavenger receptor, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor type 1 (LOX-1), in the formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS: CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation of the ocular fundus in mice. The expression of LOX-1 mRNA and protein after laser injury was determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Gelatin zymography was used to measure the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and pro-MMP-9, and ELISA was used to determine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. At 14 days after laser injury, the extent of CNV was evaluated by fluorescein angiography and lectin staining using confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: In wild-type mice, the relative expression level of LOX-1 mRNA compared with the control increased significantly 6 hours after laser injury and peaked 12 hours after laser injury (P = 0.011 and P = 0.0006, respectively), and the expression of LOX-1 protein was also detected 1 and 3 days after laser injury. Increases in MMP-2, pro-MMP2, and pro-MMP-9 after laser injury were reduced in LOX-1-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. At 3 days after laser injury, increases in MCP-1 and VEGF significantly decreased in LOX-1-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice (P = 0.014 and P = 0.001, respectively). Morphometric analyses revealed that the induction of CNV formation was significantly inhibited in LOX-1-deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LOX-1 plays an important role in the formation of CNV. This scavenging system might thus be a novel therapeutic target for CNV.