The expression patterns of vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombospondin 2 after corneal alkali burn

The aim of the investigation was to explore the expression patterns of VEGF and TSP2 after corneal alkali burn in vivo. After the model of corneal alkali burn was established in mice, the expression levels of VEGF and TSP2 were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), RT-PCR, image analysis and statistical evaluation. Compared with control group, the expression level of VEGF increased significantly at 6h after alkali burn and reached its maximum at 12h. Then, it increased again till the second peak appeared at 96h and 192h. The VEGF-positive reaction mainly gathered in the stroma of cornea. On the other hand, the expression of TSP2 enhanced at 3h and attained two peaks at 6h and 96h, respectively, with the process of wound healing. TSP2 was expressed mainly in the base of epithelial layer. The expression patterns of VEGF and TSP2 reflect the complicated interaction with many factors including promoted and inhibited vascularization in vivo. Moreover, it might provide a novel method for controlling vascular hyperplasia in future clinical work according to the data of VEGF and TSP2.