Intravitreal injection of EV11, a novel aryl ketone amide, inhibits choroidal neovascularization via AKT/ERK1/2 pathway

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the major cause of irreversible vision loss associated with agerelated macular disease (AMD). The currently clinical chemical therapeutic strategies are of high cost and facing supply chain shortage. In our study, we aim to investigate EV11, a novel derivative from Sorafenib, as a new approach to inhibit the formation of CNV. Methods: Cell viability assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and tube formation assay were applied to explore the effects of EV11 on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blotting analysis was performed to investigate the pathways when EV11 acts on HUVECs. Laser-induced CNV in mice and intravitreal injection of EV11 were applied to find out the efficacy of the drug in vivo. Histological examination and electroretinogram (ERG) evaluated the retinal morphology and visual function after drug application. Results: EV11 influenced the HUVECs cell viability as the concentration increasing after 24 hour incubation. It influenced HUVECs through suppressing AKT and ERK1/2 pathway. EV11 reduced CNV area with the optimal concentration of 200uM in mice eyes and compared with Bevacizumab, it had the same effect. The retinal thickness around the optic in each group was not influenced. The amplitudes of the a- and b-waves on scotopic and photopic ERG were not reduced after intravitreal injection. Conclusion: The present study indicated that EV11 affected the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs, inhibited the area of neovascular of laser induced choroidal neovascularization in mice eyes with no toxicity. EV11 could block the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in effects of HUVECs. This study unveiled a novel perspective drug EV11 to be a potential candidate for neovascularization.

Automated summary

The study showed that EV11 effectively impacted the viability, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs, and inhibited the formation of neovascularization in CNV in mice eyes induced by laser without toxicity. EV11 also blocked the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in HUVECs.