Abstract Purpose: To explore the status of current global research, trends and hotspots in the field of lupus retinopathy (LR). Methods: Publications related to LR from 2003 to 2022 were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). Citespace 6.2.R4 software was used to analyze the raw data. Bibliometric parameters such as publication quality, countries, authors, international cooperation, and keywords were taken into account. Results: A total of 315 publications were retrieved. The annual research output has increased significantly since 2010, especially since 2017. Marmor MF, Lee BR, and Melles RB contributed the highest number of articles published on LR. The top three publishing countries were the USA, China, and UK. Stanford University, Hanyang University, and Harvard Medical School were the top three producing institutions in the world for LR research. The top ten commonly used keywords include the following: systemic lupus erythematosus, retinopathy, retinal toxicity, antimalarial, hydroxychloroquine, optical coherence tomography, antiphospholipid syndrome, microvascular, optic neuritis, optical coherence tomography angiography. The keywords "optical coherence tomography angiography" and "vessel density" have exploded in recent years. Conclusion: By analyzing the current body of LR literature, specific global trends and hotspots for LR research were identified, presenting valuable information to track cutting-edge progress and for future cooperation between various authors and institutions.
Aims：To prepare sustained-released pirfenidone (PFD) loaded Poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres, and to explore the effects of different fabricating factors on the microspheres in vitro. Methods：A single emulsification method and a homogenizer were used to prepare PFD-loaded PLGA microspheres. The processes of making the microspheres were changed to obtain different PFD-loaded PLGA microspheres. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to measure the drug loading, drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release rate. The particle distribution was observed under a scanning electron microscope, and the lateral size of the microspheres was also measured by microscope. Results：A single emulsification method could successfully fabricate PFD-loaded PLGA microspheres with high drug encapsulation efficiency. Changing the factors of fabricating the microspheres could affect the particle size, drug loading, drug entrapment efficiency, and drug release rate in vitro. The PFD-loaded microspheres prepared under different situations could release nearly 50% of the drug on the first 0.5 day, and slowly release the drug in the following 13 days. Conclusions：A single emulsification method can efficiently prepare PFD-loaded PLGA microspheres, and achieve a good sustained release effect in vitro.
Background: Type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV3) is an important subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Previously, we established an advanced MNV3-like mouse model by knocking out the Vhl, Rb1, and p107 genes in the retinal progenitors (Rb1/p107/Vhl TKO model). This study aims to investigate the role of p107 protein (also called Rb transcriptional corepressor like 1) on retinal blood vessels and its role in the TKO MNV3-like model. Methods: By breeding the retinal-specific alpha-Cre mice with Vhl floxed mice and p107-/- mice, we got VhlKO, p107KO, and p107/Vhl DKO mice. Wholemount retinal IB4 staining and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were performed to evaluate the retinal vascular vessels. Immunofluorescence staining studied retinal cell types, cell proliferation, and cell death. RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP), and dual luciferase reporter assay were also performed to study the retinal transcriptome, the binding of p107 protein to the promoter region of Hif target genes, and the effect of the p107 protein on the transcriptional activity of the Hif target genes. Results: p107/Vhl DKO mice have delayed regression of hyaloid vessels, retinal degeneration, and retinal neovascularization. The p107 protein significantly inhibits the Hif pathway activity in VhlKO retinas. It can also bind to the promoter regions and suppress the transcriptional activity of several Hif target genes, including Vegfa, Kdr, and Tek. Conclusions: The p107 protein inhibits angiogenesis in the VhlKO retina, as it can bind and inhibit Hif target genes related to retinal angiogenesis.
