Inhibition of pathological corneal neovascularization by a small peptide derived from human apolipoprotein (a) Kringle V.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiangiogenic activity of AU6, a novel 6-amino acid peptide derived from Kringle V of human apolipoprotein (a).

METHODS

RF/6A rhesus macaque choroid endothelial cells were used for in vitro studies. MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] assays and modified Boyden chamber and Matrigel assays were used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of AU6 on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated endothelial cell functions, including cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The chick chorioallantoic membrane model, micropocket corneal neovascularization (CNV) model, and alkali burn CNV model were evaluated in vivo. Bevacizumab (Avastin), the VEGF-neutralizing antibody, and a scrambled peptide (AU6s) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively.

RESULTS

AU6 inhibited VEGF-induced RF/6A cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation. It also reduced pathological neovascularization in the chorioallantoic membrane model and in the 2 CNV models, that is, the mouse corneal micropocket model and the rat cornea alkali burn model.

CONCLUSIONS

AU6 effectively inhibited pathogenic CNV. This novel peptide shows potential as a new treatment for ocular neovascularization.