Vertically sprouting vessels have strong VEGFR3, but weak VEGFR2, expression in the developing retinal vasculature.

Abstract

<p>(A) Cross-sectional confocal images showing the differential expression pattern of VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 in P11 mice. The immunoreactivity of VEGFR3 was strongly detected in the vertical vessels (IPL and INL; triangles) and deep plexus (OPL, triangles). In contrast, strong immunoreactivity of VEGFR2 was detected in the superficial plexus (GCL, arrows) and neurons (arrow heads). Nuclei were DAPI positive (blue). ONL, outer nuclear layer. Bar, 100 μm. (<b>B</b> and <b>C</b>) Confocal images of VEGFR3 staining in the superficial plexus at P8. Eyeballs from P8 mice were applied to whole flat-mount staining of iB4 and VEGFR3. The region in the box (B) is magnified in <b>C</b> (upper). The region of the vertical vessel was taken below the superficial plexus. (C, lower) The immunoreactivity of VEGFR3 was detected in sprouting vessels from the vein (arrows). Broken lines correspond to the position of vein that appeared in the superficial plexus. A, artery; V, vein. Nuclei were DAPI positive (blue). Bar, 100 μm.</p