Background
Rapamycin (RAPA) is a potent angiogenic inhibitor and the
Conclusion
RAPA can inhibit RNV by downregulating the expression of cyclin D1, which indicates its therapeutic potential in treating RNV-related diseases.
Methods
Forty-two 7-day-old C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into normoxia control group (14 mice), OIR group (14 mice), and rapamycin (RAPA) group. OIR model was induced in OIR and RAPA group. Vehicle and RAPA (2 mg/kg/d) was injected intraperitoneally daily from postnatal day 12 (P12) in OIR and RAPA groups, respectively. RNV was evaluated using fluorescence angiography and histopathology on P17. Non-perfused areas of retina were analyzed by Image-Pro plus 6.0 software. Retinal expression of cyclin D1 was detected both at mRNA and protein levels.
Results
RAPA treatment significantly decreased RNV, non-perfused areas and number of endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in OIR mice. Moreover, RAPA decreased activation of cyclin D1 in retina caused by OIR.