Current researches on proteins associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is one of the ocular fundus diseases and can cause severe visual impairment or blindness.The occurrence of PCV may be related to certain proteins.The imbalance between angiogenesis stimulating factors and inhibiting factors can cause choroid vascular abnormalities, which promotes PCV formation.Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases can regulate extracellular matrix metabolism and subsequently regulate the choroid neovascularization.Increase of oxidized low density lipoprotein can break down the balance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, which promotes the choroid neovascularization.The decrease of elastin can lead to damage and expasion of blood vessel walls, and promote the choroid neovascularization.Some inflammatory factors, such as TGF-β, TGF-α, IL-6 and monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 etc, are also associated with the choroid neovascularization.In addition, it was also found that the expression levels of C-reactive protein, complement factors and thioredoxin in PCV patients are higher than those in the normal control.This article reviewed research progression in the related proteins during the process of PCV. Key words: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; Choroidal neovacularization; Age-related macular degeneration; Protein