title: Assessment of vascular regeneration in the CNS using the mouse retina.
abstract: The rodent retina is perhaps the most accessible mammalian system in which to investigate neurovascular interplay within the central nervous system (CNS). It is increasingly being recognized that several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present elements of vascular compromise. In addition, the most prominent causes of blindness in pediatric and working age populations (retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, respectively) are characterized by vascular degeneration and failure of physiological vascular regrowth. The aim of this technical paper is to provide a detailed protocol to study CNS vascular regeneration in the retina. The method can be employed to elucidate molecular mechanisms that lead to failure of vascular growth after ischemic injury. In addition, potential therapeutic modalities to accelerate and restore healthy vascular plexuses can be explored. Findings obtained using the described approach may provide therapeutic avenues for ischemic retinopathies such as that of diabetes or prematurity and possibly benefit other vascular disorders of the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology-Neurosurgery, McGill University.
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miloudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dejda
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Binet
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lapalme
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal.
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology-Neurosurgery, McGill University; Department of Biochemistry, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal; Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal; mike.sapieha@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Przemyslaw
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sapieha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen