International Review of Ophthalmology ›› 2013, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (2): 134-138.doi: 10. 3760/cma.j.issn.1673-5803. 2013. 02. 013

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The role of erythropoietin in the onset of ocular neovascular disease

 LV Wen-Juan , CHEN  Hao-Yu   

  1. Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou Guangdong 515041, China
  • Received:2012-12-17 Online:2013-04-22 Published:2013-05-03
  • Contact: CHEN Haoyu, Email: drchenhaoyu@gmail.com

Abstract: 【Abstract】Ocular neovascularization is a common clinical feature in many blinding eye diseases. Various kinds of proangiogenic factors are involved in its mechanism. Erythropoietin (EPO) may not only regulate erythrocytopoiesis, but may also play an important role in embryonic development, tumor angiogenesis, wound healing and heart neovascularization. The expression of EPO increases in corneal neovascularization, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity. In  animal models of oxygeninduced retinopathy, blocking of  EPO signal can inhibit neovascularization. These studies suggest that EPO may play an important role in  eye neovascularization and may be a novel therapeutic target for  ocular neovascular diseases. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2013, 37:  134-138)