Rat Retinal Vascular Endothelial Cells In The Developing Transition Mechanism

Objective:To explore the mechanism of transformation of endothelial cells in the development of mouse retinal blood vessels. Expressions of PECAM1/CD31 (CD31), smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), fibroblast specific protein (FSP-1) and Twist in the development of retina were observed.Methods:Forty C57BL/6J mice were used, and every 10 were killed on day 1,5,8 and 11 respectively. The retina was stretched after angiography by fluorescein-natrium, and morphological changes in retinal blood vessels were observed. Expressions of PECAM1/CD31 (CD31), smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), fibroblast specific protein (FSP-1) and Twist in the development of retina were detected by retinal flat-mounts combined with immunofluorescence. RNA from the retina was extracted, and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of these genes. SPSS 13.0 software package was used in the oneway ANOVA and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:The result of retinal flat-mounts combined with immunofluorescence showed that CD31 expression level was relatively high on day 5 and low on day 8 and 17. Expression of a-SMA and FSP-1 was relatively high on day 1 and 5 respectively and low at other time points. Expression of Twist was relatively high on day 5. RT-PCR showed statistically significant differences in the RQ values among the groups of CD31 (F=27.813, P<0.05), a-SMA (F=19.171, P<0.05), FSP-1 (F=508.791, P<0.05) and Twist (F=27.229, P<0.05)Conclusion:Endothelial transformation may occur in the development of mouse retinal blood vessels, and Twist gene may be involved in the process.