Simultaneous fluorescence imaging of distinct nerve and blood vessel patterns in dual Thy1-YFP and Flt1-DsRed transgenic mice.

Blood vessels and nerve tissues are critical to the development and functionality of many vital organs. However, little is currently known about their interdependency during development and after injury. In this study, dual fluorescence transgenic reporter mice were utilized to observe blood vessels and nervous tissues in organs postnatally.

Transgenic models for investigating the nervous system: Currently available neurofluorescent reporters and potential neuronal markers.

Recombinant DNA technologies have enabled the development of transgenic animal models for use in studying a myriad of diseases and biological states. By placing fluorescent reporters under the direct regulation of the promoter region of specific marker proteins, these models can localize and characterize very specific cell types. One important application of transgenic species is the study of the cytoarchitecture of the nervous system.

Quantification of Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in the Dual ex vivo Aortic and Thoracic Duct Assay.

Background: Lymphatic vessel formation (lymphangiogenesis) plays important roles in cancer metastasis, organ rejection, and lymphedema, but the underlying molecular events remain unclear. Furthermore, despite significant overlap in the molecular families involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, little is known about the crosstalk between these processes. The ex vivo aortic ring assay and lymphatic ring assay have enabled detailed studies of vessel sprouting, but harvesting and imaging clear thoracic duct samples remain challenging.

Fluorescent reporter transgenic mice for in vivo live imaging of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

The study of lymphangiogenesis is an emerging science that has revealed the lymphatic system as a central player in many pathological conditions including cancer metastasis, lymphedema, and organ graft rejection. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of lymphatic growth will play a key role in the development of therapeutic strategies against these conditions. Despite the known potential of this field, the study of lymphatics has historically lagged behind that of hemangiogenesis.

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in corneal transplantation-A review.

Corneal transplantation has been proven effective for returning the gift of sight to those affected by corneal disorders such as opacity, injury, and infections that are a leading cause of blindness. Immune privilege plays an important role in the success of corneal transplantation procedures; however, immune rejection reactions do occur, and they, in conjunction with a shortage of corneal donor tissue, continue to pose major challenges. Corneal immune privilege is important to the success of corneal transplantation and closely related to the avascular nature of the cornea.