| Purpose: To investigate the role of erythropoietin (Epo) in experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and possibility of anti-Epo therapy in CNV.
Methods: In laser induced CNV mice model, the expression of Epo in CNV tissue was evaluated by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Epo siRNA was injected intravitreally into the laser induced CNV mice, the expression of Epo and the area of neovascularization was accessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry respectively.
Results: The expression of Epo was upregulated in laser induced choroidal neovascularization tissue. The highest expression of Epo is about 3.5 fold increase of baseline at 10 days after laser treatment. It was showed by immunohistochemistry that Epo expresses on CNV tissue around endothelial cells. SiRNA targeting Epo reduced about 50% expression of Epo and 40% of area of CNV.
Conclusion: The expression of erythropoietin is high in laser induced choroidal neovascularization tissue. Epo siRNA inhibit expression of Epo and the area of choroidal neovascularization. These results suggest that erythropoietin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization. Erythropoietin is a novel therapeutic target for choroidal neovascularization. | 
