Figure 5. Elevation of galectin-1 protein levels in human PDR vitreous fluids and suppression of galectin-1-mediated VEGFR2 activation by aflibercept in HRMEC.

(A) Protein levels of galectin-1 in PDR eyes with (n = 8) or without (n = 15) bevacizumab pretreatment and in control (ERM + MH) eyes (n = 12). Black symbols indicate individual samples in each group with a bar showing the average. **p < 0.01. (B) Protein levels of VEGF-A in PDR eyes with or without bevacizumab pretreatment and in control eyes. (C) No correlation (p = 0.137, r² = 0.150) between galectin-1 and VEGF-A in PDR eyes without bevacizumab pretreatment. (D) VEGFR2 phosphorylation induced by galectin-1 as well as VEGF-A, both of which were significantly suppressed by aflibercept. Data are shown as relative values compared to PBS (n = 5 per group). (E) HRMEC proliferation induced by galectin-1 and VEGF-A, both of which were significantly suppressed by aflibercept. Data are shown as relative values compared to PBS (n = 8 per group).