Project 16

Diabetic Retinopathy:Choroidal neovascularisation in a VEGF transgenic mouse

Neovascularisation, the inappropriate growth of new blood vessels, is the hallmark of a variety of diseases including diabetic retinopathy, sickle cell disease, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal vein occlusion, cat scratch neuroretinitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myeloid leukemia and Eales’ disease and also occurs as a result of opportunistic herpes infection in HIV AIDS. Such neovascularisation is the main cause blindness. We have recently developed a transgenic murine model for retinal neovascularisation using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) under the control of the eye specific rhodopsin promoter. The progression of retinal neovascularisation mimicks that seen clinically, for example, in diabetic retinopathy. Aberrant growth of the other main vascular supply to the eye, the choroid, occursa variety of other eye diseases such as aged macular degeneration. The aim of the project is to examine the VEGF transgenic mouse eye to determine whether choroidal neovascularisation is also occurring. Retinal casts, which fill the entire retinal and choroidal circulations, will be examined using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, vascular beds will be examined using perfusion of fluoroscein dextran amine and Indian ink. Animals will be examined as they mature to determine the spatiotemporal progression of neovascularisation.