Fig. 2: Effect of sunitinib microparticles in a mouse model of type 2 choroidal neovascularization.

C57BL/6 mice received a 1 µl intravitreous injection of sunitinib (Suni) microparticles (MP) containing 10 or 1 µg of sunitinib in one eye and an equivalent amount of empty MP in the fellow eye, or they received an injection of 0.5 or 0.1 µg of free sunitinib in one eye and PBS in the fellow eye, or 40 µg of aflibercept in one eye and PBS in the fellow eye. At various time points after injection ranging from 1 to 24 weeks, the mice had rupture of Bruch’s membrane by laser photocoagulation at 3 locations in each eye. One week after laser, mice were euthanized and choroidal flat mounts were stained with FITC-labeled Griffonia Simplicifolia Agglutinin (GSA) lectin and the area of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was measured at Bruch’s membrane rupture sites by an investigator masked with regard to treatment. The three values from each eye were averaged to give a single experimental value. The mean (±SEM) area of CNV was significantly less in eyes injected with MP containing 10 µg sunitinib compared with fellow eyes injected with empty MP at each time point through 24 weeks (a). Eyes injected with MP containing 1 µg sunitinib showed a significant reduction in mean area of CNV compared with corresponding controls at 9 and 15 weeks, but not 20 and 24 weeks (b). Eyes injected with 0.5 or 0.1 µg of free sunitinib showed no significant reduction in area of CNV compared to fellow eyes injected with PBS at 1 week (c). Eyes injected with 40 µg of aflibercept showed a significant reduction in mean CNV area compared with fellow eye controls at 1 week, but not 9 or 15 weeks (d). Number of animals used in each group are shown in the graph or below the graph. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 by Mann–Whitney compared with fellow eye control at that time point. Bar = 100 µm. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.