Flt3 Regulation in the Mononuclear Phagocyte System Promotes Ocular Neovascularization

Figure 4

Ischemia-induced retinal NV decreases in Flt3-deficient animals. Flt3−/−, Flt3+/−, or Flt3+/+ (C57BL/6) mice were exposed to 75% oxygen from P7 to P12. At P18, retinas were dissected, washed, and incubated in presence of FITC-lectin at room temperature for 45 minutes. Retinal flat mounts were assessed under a fluorescence microscope. Retina samples from Flt3−/− animals (C, C) showed reduced NV in comparison with those from the Flt3+/− (B, B) or Flt3+/+ counterparts (A, A). Quantitation of retinal NV areas confirmed a significant decrease of NV areas in the Flt3^−/− group () compared with Flt3+/− () or Flt3+/+ () specimens (F). Immunofluorescence staining of retinal flat mounts of OIR animals after treatment with PBS and AC220. AC220 or PBS was intravitreally administered in at P12; retinas were obtained, incubated with FITC-lectin, and flat mounted at P18 (). Quantitation of retinal NV areas confirmed a significant decrease in the AC220 treatment group () in comparison with the PBS group (G). Bars represented mean (±SEM); groups were compared by ANOVA with SNK for multiple comparisons.