The antiangiogenic effects of gold nanoparticles on experimental choroidal neovascularization in mice

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiangiogenic effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice. METHODS. Choroidal neovascularization was induced by rupturing the Bruch’s membrane using laser photocoagulation in C57BL/6 mice. The following day, intravitreal injections of AuNPs were administered. The control group received PBS injection of the same volume. Two weeks after laser injury, CNV lesions were evaluated by examination of choroidal flat-mounts using fluorescein-labeled dextran and immunofluorescence staining with isolectin B4. The effects of AuNPs on endothelial cell tube formation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or human RPE cells. The activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, protein kinase B (Akt), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathways was also analyzed. RESULTS. The AuNPs reduced the extent of CNV. Mice treated with intravitreal AuNPs injections exhibited a 67.9% reduction in the extent of CNV lesions compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The size of the isolectin B4-labeled area was also significantly smaller in AuNP-treated groups compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Gold nanoparticles decreased vascular endothelial growth factor-induced HUVEC tube formation and proliferation but showed no RPE cell toxicity with the treatment doses administered. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt, and FAK in HUVECs was suppressed by AuNPs. CONCLUSIONS. Gold nanoparticles can inhibit laser-induced CNV in mice and may have an indication for the treatment of CNV.