Changes in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the retina of mice with chronic brain ischemia

Abstract:

Objective：To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） and glial fibrillary acidic protein（GFAP） in the retina of mice with chronic brain ischemia as well as to analyze the relationship between VEGF and GFAP under retinal is－chemic injury. Methods：C57 mice were used to establish chronic brain ischemia model. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the distribution and expression of VEGF and GFAP in the mice retina at different ischemic time periods. Results：VEGF and GFAP were unexpressed or weakly expressed in sham operated group. In the operated group，expression of VEGF and GFAP was in－creased at 120 d after ischemia and was significantly increased in intensity and scope at 180 d after ischemia. Conclusions：Expression of VEGF and GFAP are increased in the retina of mice with chronic brain ischemia，which indicates VEGF and GFAP may be involved in the pathogenesis of retinal ischemic injury process.