Quantification of oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse: a model of vessel loss, vessel regrowth and pathological angiogenesis

KM Connor, NM Krah, RJ Dennison, CM Aderman… - Nature protocols, 2009 - nature.com
KM Connor, NM Krah, RJ Dennison, CM Aderman, J Chen, KI Guerin, P Sapieha, A Stahl
Nature protocols, 2009nature.com
The mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) has been widely used in studies
related to retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in studies
evaluating the efficacy of antiangiogenic compounds. In this model, 7-d-old (P7) mouse
pups with nursing mothers are subjected to hyperoxia (75% oxygen) for 5 d, which inhibits
retinal vessel growth and causes significant vessel loss. On P12, mice are returned to room
air and the hypoxic avascular retina triggers both normal vessel regrowth and retinal …
Abstract
The mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) has been widely used in studies related to retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in studies evaluating the efficacy of antiangiogenic compounds. In this model, 7-d-old (P7) mouse pups with nursing mothers are subjected to hyperoxia (75% oxygen) for 5 d, which inhibits retinal vessel growth and causes significant vessel loss. On P12, mice are returned to room air and the hypoxic avascular retina triggers both normal vessel regrowth and retinal neovascularization (NV), which is maximal at P17. Neovascularization spontaneously regresses between P17 and P25. Although the OIR model has been the cornerstone of studies investigating proliferative retinopathies, there is currently no harmonized protocol to assess aspects of angiogenesis and treatment outcome. In this protocol we describe standards for mouse size, sample size, retinal preparation, quantification of vascular loss, vascular regrowth, NV and neovascular regression.
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