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Comparative effects of Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab on endothelial cells. Implications in age‐related macular degeneration
Author(s) -
Costa Raquel,
Pirraco Ana,
Falcão Manuel,
Carneiro Ângela,
Rocha Ana,
Soares Raquel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.625.13
Subject(s) - ranibizumab , macular degeneration , bevacizumab , medicine , vascular endothelial growth factor , cytotoxicity , angiogenesis , matrigel , pharmacology , ophthalmology , apoptosis , trypan blue , choroidal neovascularization , endothelial stem cell , chemistry , cancer research , in vitro , biochemistry , chemotherapy , vegf receptors
Angiogenesis, is required for choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), one of the principal causes of blindness in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Recently, anti‐VEGF molecules like Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab, have been used intravitreally to control CNV. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these agents in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). Cell cultures were established and treated during 24 h using a range of concentrations that include the clinical dose (0,25 mg/ mL for Bevacizumab and 0,125 mg/ mL for Ranibizumab). Controls were incubated with the excipient. Cell cytotoxicity (MTS assay) was not present at any concentration. Apoptosis (TUNEL assay) was significantly increased and cell proliferation (BrdU incorporation assay) was effectively reduced. Even more, these treatments resulted in a significant decrease in cell migration (injury and double‐chamber assays) and cord structures formation (matrigel assay). These findings were accompanied by a decrease in VEGF receptor expression (Western Blotting) and in secreted VEGF (ELISA assay) upon antibodies incubations. Our findings show that these compounds are able to affect several processes in HMEC. Given the lower price and prolonged half‐life of Bevacizumab, this agent is probably more advantageous in the prevention of visual acuity loss, which is increased in ocular pathologies, such as AMD. Supported by Under‐graduation project by University of Porto (IRIC IPG 81/07); FCT PTDC/EME‐PME/70155/2006