Remodeling of the choroidal vasculature is a prominent factor in age-related macular degeneration. While many of the growth factors involved in this vascular remodeling are known, their regulation remains much less so. The hypothesis of the present study was that stimulation of human choroidal endothelial cells with the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol would lead to an increase in pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF) and angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), markers of a stable vasculature. Protein levels of PEDF and Ang1 were significantly increased following stimulation with isoproterenol. However, isoproterenol also significantly increased protein levels of vascular endothelial cell growth factor, which is active during vasculature remodeling. These data suggest that beta-adrenergic receptor agonists are likely upstream of a number of growth factors implicated in ocular disease and have multiple effects on choroidal endothelial cells. Modulation of this signaling in the choroid may offer a new avenue for therapeutics.

中文翻译：

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β-肾上腺素能受体调节人脉络膜内皮细胞中生长因子蛋白的水平。

脉络膜脉管系统的重塑是与年龄有关的黄斑变性的重要因素。尽管许多涉及血管重建的生长因子是已知的，但它们的调控作用却远不如此。本研究的假设是，用β-肾上腺素能受体激动剂异丙肾上腺素刺激人脉络膜内皮细胞会导致色素上皮衍生因子（PEDF）和血管生成素1（Ang1）的增加，而血管生成素1是稳定脉管系统的标志。异丙肾上腺素刺激后，PEDF和Ang1的蛋白质水平显着增加。但是，异丙肾上腺素也显着增加了血管内皮细胞生长因子的蛋白质水平，该因子在脉管系统重塑期间具有活性。这些数据表明，β-肾上腺素能受体激动剂可能是许多与眼部疾病有关的生长因子的上游，并且对脉络膜内皮细胞有多种作用。脉络膜中该信号的调节可为治疗提供新途径。