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An Ex Vivo Choroid Sprouting Assay of Ocular Microvascular Angiogenesis
Published on: August 6, 2020
The choroid as a sclera growth regulator
1Department of Cell Biology, Oklahoma Center of Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, BRC, Room 266, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. jody-summers@ouhsc.edu
Experimental Eye Research
|March 27, 2013
Summary
The choroid actively regulates eye growth during emmetropization, a vision-dependent process. It releases growth factors that modify scleral extracellular matrix, influencing ocular size and refractive error.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Emmetropization minimizes refractive error through coordinated eye growth.
- Visually guided ocular growth involves retinal chemical signals and scleral extracellular matrix remodeling.
- The choroid's location is ideal for relaying retinal signals to the sclera.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the molecular mechanisms of emmetropization and visually guided ocular growth.
- Review molecular and functional studies of the choroid.
- Support the hypothesis that the choroid regulates scleral growth factors in response to visual stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular and functional studies on the choroid.
- Analysis of gene expression changes in visually guided ocular growth.
- Examination of choroidal accommodation and growth factor release.
Main Results:
- The choroid plays an active role in emmetropization.
- Choroidal thickness modulation adjusts the retina to the focal plane (choroidal accommodation).
- The choroid releases growth factors influencing scleral extracellular matrix remodeling.
Conclusions:
- The choroid is a critical signaling center in emmetropization.
- Retinal visual stimuli modulate choroidal function.
- The choroid acts as a source of scleral growth regulators impacting ocular size and refractive error.
