EphrinB2-EphB4 signals regulate formation and maintenance of funnel-shaped valves in corneal lymphatic capillaries.

Purpose: To elucidate the role of signals mediated by EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase and its transmembrane ephrinB2 ligand in corneal lymphatic capillaries.

Methods: To detect expression of ephrinB2 and EphB4 in mouse corneas, immunohistochemistry of flat-mount corneas from 6- to 10-week-old wild-type, Efnb2-lacZ, and Ephb4-lacZ mice on a C57BL/6 background was performed. To induce formation of new blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, mouse corneal epithelia were swabbed with 0.

Angiogenesis in the mouse retina: a model system for experimental manipulation.

The vascular system of the mouse retina provides a useful model for analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating angiogenesis because (1) hierarchical vascular networks are newly formed only after birth, (2) the cellular components involved in angiogenesis are well characterized, and (3) all the processes are accessible for monitoring and manipulation. In this article, we present an overview of our current understanding of the process of retinal angiogenesis and describe a number of methodologies applicable to experimental manipulation of the retinal vascular system.

Thrombin inhibitor reduces leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and vascular leakage after scatter laser photocoagulation.

Purpose: Macular edema is one of the most serious adverse effects after retinal scatter laser photocoagulation. It has been suggested that the inflammatory reaction after photocoagulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema. This study was designed to evaluate quantitatively the inhibitory effects of argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, on leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and vascular permeability after scatter laser photocoagulation.

Intravitreal injection of corticosteroid attenuates leukostasis and vascular leakage in experimental diabetic retina.

Purpose: Recently, intravitreal injection of corticosteroids has been in wide use as a treatment for diabetic macular edema, and the outcomes have been favorable. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. The hypothesis for the current study was that intravitreal corticosteroids may improve diabetic retinal edema by amelioration of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown, by inhibiting leukocyte stasis (leukostasis).

High level of endothelial cell-specific gene expression by a combination of the 5' flanking region and the 5' half of the first intron of the VE-cadherin gene.

To develop a tool to obtain a high level of gene expression specifically in endothelial cells (ECs), we assessed enhancer activity of fragments in the first intron of the VE-cadherin gene using 3 different experimental systems: luciferase assay in the F2 EC line, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in ECs generated in embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation culture, and GFP expression in transgenic mice. Although the 2.5-kbp (kilobase pair) 5' flanking sequence of the VE-cadherin gene is EC specific, adding 4 kbp of the 5' half of the first intron affected an enhancement of the gene expression level in all 3 assay systems.

In vivo three-dimensional evaluation of leukocyte behavior in retinal microcirculation of mice.

Purpose: To evaluate new physiologic and three-dimensional methods for monitoring leukocyte behavior in mouse retina.

Methods: Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was produced in mice by footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leukocytes were labeled with acridine orange (AO).

Simvastatin inhibits leukocyte accumulation and vascular permeability in the retinas of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Leukocytes play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Recently, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors have been reported to exert various effects in addition to their lipid-lowering ability. We investigated the effects of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on leukocyte-induced diabetic changes in retinas.

Laser photocoagulation of indocyanine green angiographically identified feeder vessels to idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of laser photocoagulation of indocyanine green angiographically identified feeder vessels to idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathic lesions.

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: Fifteen eyes of 14 consecutive patients with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy lesions treated by laser photocoagulation of indocyanine green angiographically identified feeder vessels were investigated.

In vivo evaluation of retinal injury after transient ischemia in hypertensive rats.

A number of studies have suggested that hypertension affects the pathogenesis of inflammatory reactions in various organs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hypertension on leukocyte-endothelial interactions after transient retinal ischemia. Transient retinal ischemia was induced for 60 minutes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY).

Platelets adhering to the vascular wall mediate postischemic leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in retinal microcirculation.

Purpose: Recent evidence suggests that platelets play a major role in ischemia-reperfusion injury, not only through thrombus formation but also through participation in inflammatory reactions with leukocytes. This study was designed to investigate the contribution of platelets in leukocyte recruitment to inflamed regions in vivo.

Methods: Thrombocytopenia was produced in male Long-Evans rats by intravenous injection of anti-platelet serum at 4 hours before ischemia-reperfusion.

Argatroban attenuates leukocyte- and platelet-endothelial cell interactions after transient retinal ischemia.

Background And Purpose: Argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, has been shown to reduce neural injury after transient cerebral ischemia. It has also been reported that this neuroprotective effect results from an anticoagulant function. This study was designed to evaluate quantitatively the inhibitory effects of argatroban on leukocyte- and platelet-endothelial cell interactions after transient retinal ischemia.

Cancer-associated retinopathy associated with invasive thymoma.

Purpose: To report a case of cancer-associated retinopathy associated with invasive thymoma.

Design: Interventional case report.

Method: A 41-year-old Japanese woman was observed between February 1998 and May 2001.