[The distribution and phenotype of bone marrow-derived cells in mice's eyes after induction of choroidal neovascularization by laser photocoagulation].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the phenotype feature of bone marrow-derived cells in mice's eyes after induction of choroidal neovascularization by laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

It was a experimental study. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeric mice were developed by transplanting bone marrow cells from GFP +/+ transgenic mice to adult C57BL/6J mice. The chimeric mice underwent laser rupture of Bruch membrane to induce CNV. Fluorescein fundus angiography and histopathological study were used to confirm the stable formation of CNV. Then the eyes were enucleated and processed for immunofluorescence to detect the distribution and phenotype of GFP + cells.

RESULTS

The development of CNV has stabled by the 14th day after lasering. GFP-labelled cells appeared in CNV lesions (including choroid beneath CNV lesion), neurosensory retina over CNV, corneoscleral limbus, ciliary body, optic disc and sclera, retina and choroid distant from CNV. GFP + cells, which were immunoreactive for alphaSMA or CD31, appeared in lesions only. However, F4/80 + green cells can be also detected in neurosensory retina over CNV, corneoscleral limbus and ciliary body.

CONCLUSIONS

BMC which differentiated into vascular cells presented in CNV lesions only. Some BMC appearing in other positions might be macrophages or dendritic cells. There may be other functions apart from contributing to choroidal neovascularization for BMC in the eyes.