Effect of Autocrine Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on the Survival of Retinal Müller Cells under Oxidative Stress

Purpose Autocrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) is a known survival factor for the developing and mature retina, stimulating both endothelial and neural cells. We examined whether survival of Müller cells under oxidative stress was related to stress‐induced VEGF‐A synthesis. Methods Rat Müller cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide, and cell survivals were analyzed with a flow cytometry with annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocynate and LDH assay. The expression of VEGF‐A, VEGF‐R1, and VEGF‐R2 was determined by semiquantitative RT‐PCR or Western blot analysis. Results Hydrogen peroxide–induced cell death was increased with dose dependent manners. Treatment of hydrogen peroxide on rat Müller cells induced the expression of VEGF‐A, VEGF‐R1, and VEGF‐R2 with dose dependent manners. Conclusion In the present study, survival of Müller cells under oxidative stress was related to stress‐induced VEGF‐A synthesis. Further study is needed to reveal the protective role of VEGF‐A on retinal Müller cells.