Pigment epithelium-derived factor expression in the developing mouse eye.
OBJECTIVE
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a 50 kDa secretable protein with neuroprotective, neurotrophic, and antiangiogenic properties. Expression patterns in the human eye suggest that modulation of this protein over time and place may play a role in development of normal ocular vasculature. Because of the potential importance of normal PEDF expression patterns in controlling ocular blood vessel growth in health and disease, we characterized these patterns over the period of retinal vascular development in the mouse.


METHODS
Eyes from CD1 mice (embryonic days E 14.5, 18.5, P0, P4, P7, P14, and Adult) were cryosectioned and examined. A polyclonal PEDF antibody was used to locate PEDF protein using immunohistochemical techniques while a PEDF RNA probe was used to localize PEDF mRNA by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization showed initial expression in the ciliary body and choroid during mid-gestation. Near term, relative protein levels increased in the ganglion cell layer and remained high through the first two weeks postnatal. Levels qualitatively decreased after this point but persisted through adulthood. Relative levels of expression in the inner retina were much higher at all timepoints than in the outer retina.


CONCLUSIONS
These expression patterns likely maintain the vitreous and aqueous humors as avascular spaces and may also control vascular development in the inner/outer retina.
Behling
K C
KC
F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6069, USA.
Surace
E M
EM
Bennett
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor