Inhibition of Ocular Angiogenesis by Diced Small Interfering RNAs (siRNAs) Specific to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

The effects of diced small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) designed for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the expression of VEGF in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 cells in vitro and on corneal angiogenesis in vivo were examined. The exposure to diced siRNAs significantly reduced the VEGF mRNA expression in ARPE-19 cells with minimal toxicity. In suture-induced corneal angiogenesis models, diced siRNAs minimized the severity of angiogenesis. Histological analysis displayed no particular tissue damage in the conjunctiva where siRNA was injected. The approach using diced siRNAs can be a new tool for various neovascular ocular diseases.