Advances in the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the pathogenesis of posterior capsule opacification

Despite the continuous improvement and development of modern cataract surgery technology, posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is still the common long-term complication causing secondary visual acuity decline after cataract surgery.Previous studies have shown that the occurrence of PCO is closely related to the proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and myofibroblast fibrosis of lens epithelial cells in the anterior capsule and lens equator.In terms of pathogenesis, recent research focuses on the role of cytokines, especially various growth factors.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a kind of growth factor that can promote vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration, extracellular matrix degeneration and angiogenesis.In addition, there is increasing evidence showing that VEGF plays an important role in fibrosis, inflammation, neuroprotection and other aspects.In recent years, VEGF has been found to promote PCO formation directly or cooperatively with transforming growth factor-β2.Based on the function of VEGF and the relationship between VEGF and EMT, this paper mainly reviewed the advances in the role of VEGF in the eye and the pathogenesis of posterior capsule opacification.

Cataract; Capsule opacification; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition