Purpose: This study investigated the antiinflammatory efficacy of topical application of a selective
tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor (TKI), Axitinib in experimental corneal neovascularization (CNV) model in rats. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 were evaluated as angiogenic markers, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were determined as inflammatory markers and also histopathological evaluations were carried out.
Materials and Methods: Experimental CNV model was established by silver nitrate cauterization in right eye. 6 groups were included as Control; CNV; CNV+DMSO; CNV+0.04% Axitinib; CNV+0.08% Axitinib and CNV+0.24% Axitinib. The corneas were collected and VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, NF-κB, TNFα and COX2 were measured by ELISA.
Results: Axitinib, significantly reduced corneal VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 compared to CNV. The most efficiency of Axitinib treatment was confirmed on VEGFR2 and especially with 0.04% dose. Increased NF-κB and TNFα level were reduced by 0.04% Axitinib treatment compared to CNV and CNV+DMSO.
Conclusion: Axitinib may be suggested as a promising anti-inflammatory agent in CNV by suppressing corneal VEGFR1, VEGFR2, NF-κB and TNFα, beside improving the histological pattern.