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IGFBP-3 as a Regulator of the Growth-Hormone/ Insulin-Like Growth Factor Pathway in Proliferative Retinopathies

Andreas Stahl, Ann Hellstrom,

Chatarina Lofqvist, and Lois Smith

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

THE GROWTH-HORMONE/INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR PATHWAY

IN PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHIES

IGFBP-3 AS A REGULATOR OF THE GROWTH-HORMONE/INSULIN-LIKE

GROWTH FACTOR PATHWAY

THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR IGFBP-3 IN PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHIES

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

Keywords Insulin-like growth factor • IGF • IGF-binding protein • IGFBP-3 • Diabetic retinopathy • Retinopathy of prematurity • ROP • Growth hormone • GH • Angiogenesis • Neovascularization

INTRODUCTION

Growth of retinal vessels is not only a crucial factor for retinal development but also one of the hallmarks of two of the most common causes of blindness in the industrialized world: retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Visual impairment in both diseases is causally linked to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. The current clinically established laser treatments for both conditions aim at destroying avascular areas of the affected retina to reduce the production of angiogenic mediators [1]. However, laser treatment is only partially effective and associated with the destruction of healthy retina and subsequent local visual field loss [2]. Over the recent years, considerable progress has been made in both understanding and treating proliferative retinopathies using medical instead of surgical or laser

From: Ophthalmology Research: Visual Dysfunction in Diabetes

Edited by: J. Tombran-Tink et al. (eds.), DOI 10.1007/978-1-60761-150-9_14 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

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