Systemic Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Exacerbates Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice

This study aims to investigate the effect of a systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulus in the course of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in C57BL/6 J mice. A group of CNV-subjected mice received 1 mg/kg LPS via the tail vein immediately after CNV induction. Mouse eyes were monitored in vivo with fluorescein angiography for 2 weeks. In situ hybridization and flow cytometry were performed in the retina at different time points. LPS led to increased fluorescein leakage 3 days after CNV, correlated with a large influx of monocyte-derived macrophages and increase of pro-inflammatory microglia/macrophages in the retina. Additionally, LPS enhanced Vegf alpha mRNA expression by Glul-expressing cells but not Aif1 positive microglia/macrophages in the laser lesion. These findings suggest that systemic LPS exposure has transient detrimental effects in the course of CNV through activation of microglia/macrophages to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and supports the important role of these cells in the CNV course.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulus on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice. The results show that LPS leads to increased fluorescein leakage after 3 days of CNV, along with an influx of monocyte-derived macrophages and an increase in pro-inflammatory microglia/macrophages in the retina. Additionally, LPS enhances Vegf alpha mRNA expression in certain cells. These findings suggest that systemic LPS exposure has transient detrimental effects in the course of CNV through activation of microglia/macrophages and supports their important role in CNV.