Inhibitory effects of the platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists, CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B, on alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been found in various ocular tissues; the activity of PAF depends on the binding to its specific receptor, PAF-receptor. We investigated the therapeutic effects of PAF-receptor antagonists (CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B) on alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS: CNV was induced by applying a 0.2 N sodium hydroxide (3 µl, NaOH) solution directly on mice corneas. CV-3988 (1 mM/10 µl) and Ginkgolide B (1 mM/10 µl) were administered topically on the corneas three times daily for three consecutive days. CNV was evaluated under a slit-lamp microscope. Corneas were processed for histological, immunohistochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used for the migration and tube formation assay.

RESULTS: Application of CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B inhibited CNV caused by alkali burn. CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B attenuated the expression of PAF-receptor mRNA. Alkali injury induced a massively increased intraocular mRNA expression of an angiogenic factor in cornea tissues, whereas these increments were attenuated by the application of CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B.

CONCLUSIONS: CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B reversed opacity and neovascularization in alkali burn-induced corneas. Our findings suggest that CV-3988 and Ginkgolide B may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of CNV and inflammation.