ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Key words Retinochoroidal vasculature
;
Retinal pigment epithelium
;
Vascular endothelial growth factor
;
In situ hybridization
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Rat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Growth factors involved in angiogenesis are critical to both the normal and pathological vascular development in the retina and choroid. In the present experiment, the relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the retinochoroidal vasculogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. It was found that VEGF was produced mainly by astrocytes and Müller cells in the neural retina, and this was correlated temporally and spatially with the retinal vasculogenesis. In addition, it was observed that, although the VEGF expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) decreased with increasing age, it persisted from the embryonic stage to adulthood. These findings indicate that the VEGF expression in RPE may play a role in the development of the choroidal vessels as well as in the maintenance of the normal structure and permeability of the choriocapillaris in adults.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002210050267
Permalink
