We are interested in characterizing factors that regulate the transcription of the vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) gene in ischemic conditions that lead to ocular angiogenesis. It is known that increased expression of the VEGF gene within the eye leads to ocular neovascular disease, and included within this gamut of diseases is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), retinal vascular occlusions (RVO), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Understanding the mechanism and factors involved in VEGF gene regulation under an ocular ischemic assault will allow for the development of new therapeutic targets for prevention or treatment of ocular neovascular disease. We have recently demonstrated the presence of novel alternatively spliced isoforms of the transcription factor Related Transcriptional Enhancer Factor-1 (RTEF-1) within human vascular endothelial cells isolated from ocular tissue and within the retina of a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity (OIR model). The human isoforms are capable of modulating expression from the VEGF promoter in vitro, and appear to act independently of the hypoxia response element (HRE) mediated pathway. Depending on the isoform expression can either be enhanced or inhibited. In addition we discovered that certain isoforms are only produced under hypoxic conditions and levels of specific isoforms are elevated under the same conditions within the retina of animal model of OIR and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). We hypothesize that novel RTEF-1 isoforms are produced within ocular cells under hypoxic conditions, which mediate the expression levels of VEGF transcription, assisted by cell-specific cofactors, and hence influence progression of ocular neovascularization. We propose to test this hypothesis with the following aims. (1) In relation to the regulation of VEGF transcription, characterize the function of novel RTEF-1 isoforms identified within various human ocular cells cultured under normal and hypoxic conditions, and from retinal tissue isolated from an animal model of OIR. (2) Determine whether isoforms of RTEF-1 known to inhibit VEGF production can prevent or ameliorate neovascularization response in a mouse model of OIR. (3) Identify ocular cell-specific protein co-factors that are necessary for the function of each RTEF-1 isoform under a normoxic and hypoxic environment.
The specific aims of this study are designed to further our knowledge of VEGF gene regulation by previously unidentified RTEF-1 isoforms within the normal and ischemic eye. Our long-term goal is to identify novel factors that influence the onset and progression of ischemic ocular neovascular disease, which will allow evolution and testing of non-destructive therapeutic reagents for treatment to prevent vision loss.

Public Health Relevance

Combined all ocular neovascular disease is the most common cause of blindness in the modern world, which contributes a significant public health issue. Development of an effective treatment to cure or reduce the severity of vision loss from ocular neovascular disease will be of benefit on a global scale. Furthermore, development of a therapeutic against VEGF-dependent diseases will be useful for many medical ailments including cancer and heart disease. This project will characterize novel factors that not only may be developed as a reagent for therapeutic use, but also identify new targets for therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY019042-04
Application #
8311765
Study Section
Biology and Diseases of the Posterior Eye Study Section (BDPE)
Program Officer
Shen, Grace L
Project Start
2009-09-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$365,904
Indirect Cost
$128,304
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Stempel, Andrew J; Morgans, Catherine W; Stout, J Timothy et al. (2014) Simultaneous visualization and cell-specific confirmation of RNA and protein in the mouse retina. Mol Vis 20:1366-73
Bharadwaj, Arpita S; Appukuttan, Binoy; Wilmarth, Phillip A et al. (2013) Role of the retinal vascular endothelial cell in ocular disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 32:102-80
Chipps, Timothy J; Appukuttan, Binoy; Pan, Yuzhen et al. (2013) CD44 isoforms in human retinal and choroidal endothelial cells. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251:1245-6
Smith, Justine R; Chipps, Timothy J; Ilias, Hoda et al. (2012) Expression and regulation of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule in human retinal vascular endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res 104:89-93
Appukuttan, Binoy; McFarland, Trevor J; Stempel, Andrew et al. (2012) The related transcriptional enhancer factor-1 isoform, TEAD4(216), can repress vascular endothelial growth factor expression in mammalian cells. PLoS One 7:e31260