Expression of FLK-1 in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mouse

AIM: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2, also known as FLK-1) in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mouse. METHODS: CNV was induced in C57BL/6 mouse eyes by krypton laser photocoagulation. Choroidal fluorescein angiography and histopathological examination were used to assess the development of experimental CNV. Cryostat sections from lesions on day 10 after laser treatment and normal eyes were prepared for immunohistochemistry for FLK-1. RESULTS: Laser-induced CNV developed in all lesions on day 10. The expression of FLK-1 was detected in endothelial cells, retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE)-like cells and fibroblast-like cells in neovascular lesions. In normal adult mouse retinas, FLK-1 expression was mainly observed in RPE cells, inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that expression of FLK-1 may play a role in the formation of laser-induced CNV in mice, which suggests that FLK-1 may be a promising potential target for antiangiogenesis therapy for CNV.