Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo as a platform for the identification of novel angiogenesis inhibitors of retinal vascular diseases

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016 Jul;1862(7):1291-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.04.009. Epub 2016 Apr 13.

Abstract

Pathological angiogenesis of the retina is a main cause of blindness. Therapeutic approaches targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, a main angiogenesis inducer in retinal vascular diseases, show significant limitations. Thus, experimental models of retinal neovascularization remain crucial for investigating novel anti-angiogenic strategies and bringing them to patients. Recent observations have shown that eye neovascularization in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo may represent a novel target for the identification of angiogenesis inhibitors. This review highlights the use of zebrafish embryo as an innovative model system for the screening of anti-angiogenic molecules to be employed for the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent eye diseases.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Embryonic development; Vascular retina diseases; Zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retinal Neovascularization / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Neovascularization / pathology
  • Zebrafish / embryology*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors