Effects of Interferon Alpha 2b onVEGFR-2, VEGFA, MAPK-1 and ERK-1 Gene Expression in Corneal Neovascularization Models

AIM: To investigate effects of interferon alpha 2b on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), mitogen activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK 1) gene expression in corneal neovascularization (CNV) modelsbyreal time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into three groups of ten rats each, and two corneas were obtained from each rat. CNV was induced by application of silver nitrate. In the first group one million IU/ml, in the second group three million IU/ml interferon-alfa 2b and in the third (control) group isotonic saline was applied to both eyes two times a day for two weeks. Rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and corneas were used for real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MAPK-1 gene expression levels were significantly higher in both first and second groups compared to the control group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.008, respectively). VEGFR-2 gene expression levels were found to be significantly higher in the second group than the control group (p = 0.028). VEGFA gene expression levels were also significantly higher in the second group than the control group, and there was no difference between the control and first group and between first and second groups (p > 0.05). ERK gene expression levels did not differ among all groups (p = 0.545). CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, it was shown that interferon-alfa 2b does not inhibit VEGFR-2, VEGFA, MAPK-1 or ERK 1 gene expression in CNV models despite its known anti-VEGF activities.