Expression of angiogenesis-related genes during retinal development.
We assessed expression patterns of angiogenesis-related genes in mouse retina during perinatal vascularization and in adulthood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) and its receptors flk, flt1, and neuropilins 1 and 2 are expressed in both vascularized and avascular areas. Within the expression domain for vegf, appearance of these receptors is spatially and temporally non-overlapping. Expression of flk, flt1, the matrix metalloproteinase mt1-mmp, and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase timp2, but not of mmp2, mmp9, timp1, or timp3, correlates with inner retinal vascularization. In particular, expression of flk, flt1 and mt1-mmp in the inner retina begins adjacent to the optic nerve head and extends anteriorly during the first week of life, roughly concordant with the growth of retinal vessels. Several genes (vegf, flk, flt1, timp2, possibly mmp9) appear to be expressed by retinal glia.
Gariano
Ray F
RF
Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., A157, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. raygariano@hotmail.com
Hu
Diane
D
Helms
Jill
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics*; D039942:Neuropilin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D039943:Neuropilin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D012160:Retina / Q000254:growth & development*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000254:growth & development*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics
C507096:Mmp14 protein, mouse; D039943:Neuropilin-2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D039942:Neuropilin-1; C501163:Flt1 protein, mouse; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14