VEGFA may be a potential marker of myopic choroidal thickness and vascular density changes

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: To evaluate the changes of choroidal thickness（CT） and blood flow related to myopia, and its effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) on choroidal vessels in myopia. Methods: 137 subjects were included and divided into emmetropia (EM), non-high myopia (Non-HM) and high myopia (HM) groups. we measured choroidal thickness (CT), choriocapillaris vessel density (VD), and VEGFA content in tears in humans and detected the role of VEGFA in the choroid in form-deprivation myopia (FDM) in guinea pigs. Twenty-four guinea pigs were divided into control and Form deprivation myopia (FDM) groups, and the expression changes of choroidal vessels and VEGFA were observed and compared using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Twenty-one guinea pigs were divided into control, FDM+Vehicle and FDM+Conbercept groups. The changes of diopter, axis length and choroidal vessels after intravitreal injection of Conbercept were observed. Results: There were significant differences in CT and VD among the three groups (p<0.05). The expression of VEGFA in tears of myopic group decreased significantly, presenting EM< Non-HM <HM group. Compared with the control group, the area fraction of choroidal vessels in the FDM group decreased. we observed a reduction in choroidal vasculature in FDM guinea pigs along with significant downregulation of choroidal VEGFA expression. After intravitreal injection of Conbercept into FDM guinea pigs, the FDM + conbercept group had a greater degree of myopia, longer axial length and less vascular density in the choroid than the control group. Conclusions: we found thinner CT, less choriocapillaris VD, and lower VEGFA content in tears in the myopic group than in the emmetropia group in humans. After intravitreal injection of Conbercept, FDM + conbercept group had a greater degree of myopia, longer axial length and less vascular density in the choroid than the control group. VEGFA may participate in the regulation of choroidal blood vessels and blood flow in myopia. VEGFA may be a potential target for controlling myopia.