Inhibition of development of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization with suppression of infiltration of macrophages in Smad3-null mice.

We evaluated the effects of the loss of Smad3 on the development of experimental argon laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice. An in vitro angiogenesis model was also used to examine the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1)/Smad3 signaling in vessel-like tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). CNV was induced in eyes of 8-12-week-old B6.129-background Smad3-deficient (KO) mice (n=47) and wild-type (WT) mice (n=47) by argon laser irradiation. Results showed that the size of the CNV induced was significantly smaller in KO mice as compared with WT mice at day 14 as revealed by high-resolution angiography with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. Immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of RNA extracted from laser-irradiated choroidal tissues were conducted on specimens at specific timepoints. Invasion of macrophages (F4/80+), but not neutrophils (myeloperoxidase+), and appearance of myofibroblasts (α-smooth muscle actin+) were suppressed in laser-irradiated KO tissues. mRNA expression of inflammation-related factors, that is, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), macrophage-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TGFβ1 in choroidal tissues was suppressed by the loss of Smad3. We then examined the effects of adding a Smad3 inhibitor, SIS3, or an ALK5 inhibitor, SB431542, on tube formation promoted by TGFβ1 or VEGF in HUVECs cocultured with fibroblast feeder. Further addition of SIS3 or SB431542 augmented vessel-like tube formation by HUVECs in the presence of TGFβ1 or VEGF. In conclusion, lack of Smad3 attenuated the growth of laser-induced CNV with suppression of inflammation by macrophages in mice. Because blocking TGFβ1/Smad3 signal stimulated the activity of angiogenesis of HUVECs in vitro, the reduction of CNV in vivo in KO mice is attributed to a decrease in growth factor levels in the tissue by the loss of Smad3.