Figure 7
Endoglin mRNA targeted AS-shRNA–lipid derived fluorescence was monitored in mice with intraocular injection of recombinant CCL2 protein in one eye and used the other eye as un-injected control to confirm the specificity of the AS-shRNA–lipid probes. IBA1 was used to visualize the microglia/macrophages in the retina and IB4 was used to visualize the vascular structures. Under anesthesia, CCL2 (2 μL) was injected intraocularly followed by intraperitoneal injection of AS-shRNA–lipid (0.5 mg/kg). After 18 h mice were sacrificed for analysis (n = 5). (A) Ramified IBA1 positive microglia/macrophages were observed in the un-injected control eye. (B) A large number of IBA1 positive amoeboid shaped microglia/macrophages were observed in the CCL2 recombinant protein injected eyes, generally around the optic nerve head (ONH). However, AS-shRNA–lipid derived fluorescence were not observed in IBA1 positive cells in un-injected control eyes as well as in CCL2 injected eyes, suggesting that the AS-shRNA–lipids are specific for microglia/macrophages that are associated with neovascularization.
