Angiogenesis in the mouse retina: a model system for experimental manipulation.
The vascular system of the mouse retina provides a useful model for analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating angiogenesis because (1) hierarchical vascular networks are newly formed only after birth, (2) the cellular components involved in angiogenesis are well characterized, and (3) all the processes are accessible for monitoring and manipulation. In this article, we present an overview of our current understanding of the process of retinal angiogenesis and describe a number of methodologies applicable to experimental manipulation of the retinal vascular system.
Uemura
Akiyoshi
A
Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, 2-2-3 Minatojima Minamimachi, Kobe 650-0047, Japan. auemura@cdb.riken.jp
Kusuhara
Sentaro
S
Katsuta
Hideto
H
Nishikawa
Shin-Ichi
S
D000818:Animals; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D008954:Models, Biological; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology*