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Published on: February 10, 2021
Pigment epithelium-derived factor expression in the developing mouse eye
K C Behling1, E M Surace, J Bennett
1F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6069, USA.
Insights
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) expression in mice eyes is highest in the inner retina during early development. These patterns are crucial for maintaining avascular eye regions and guiding retinal vascular growth.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a protein with known neuroprotective, neurotrophic, and antiangiogenic functions.
- Ocular expression patterns of PEDF suggest a role in the development of normal ocular vasculature.
- Understanding PEDF's spatiotemporal expression is key to its role in ocular health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the expression patterns of PEDF during retinal vascular development in mice.
- To investigate the role of PEDF in controlling ocular blood vessel growth.
Main Methods:
- Eyes from CD1 mice at various embryonic and postnatal stages were cryosectioned.
- Immunohistochemistry with a PEDF antibody was used to detect PEDF protein.
- In situ hybridization with a PEDF RNA probe localized PEDF mRNA.
Main Results:
- PEDF expression was initially observed in the ciliary body and choroid during mid-gestation.
- Protein levels increased in the ganglion cell layer near term and remained high for the first two postnatal weeks.
- Expression levels in the inner retina were consistently higher than in the outer retina across all timepoints.
Conclusions:
- The observed PEDF expression patterns likely contribute to maintaining the avascular nature of the vitreous and aqueous humors.
- PEDF expression may play a critical role in regulating vascular development within the inner and outer retina.
Purpose:
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.
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