The role of leptin in choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of leptin in choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: We examined the localization of leptin by immunohistochemistry in nine choroidal neovascular membranes surgically excised from patients with age-related macular degeneration, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, and ocular histoplasmosis. Controls included omission of primary antibody, use of an irrelevant primary antibody and leptin staining of posterior segment of four normal donor eyes. RESULTS: Leptin was present in eight membranes and appeared vesicular, within the cytoplasm. The more vascular membranes and those consisting of a larger number of retinal pigment epithelium cells were associated with greater leptin staining. Leptin was not seen in the posterior segment of the four normal eyes. CONCLUSION: We suggest that leptin plays an active role in choroidal neovascularization, although further experiments are necessary to establish a causal relationship. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.