Figure 1

Changes in mRNA expression levels of the angiogenic, lymphangiogenic, and inflammation factors as well as of the kappa opioid receptor in local neovascularized microenvironment. Three intrastromal sutures were placed in the naïve cornea for 14 days. (a) Representative slit-lamp images showing corneas post neovascularization (NV) in vivo (magnification × 25). (b–k) Significant increases in mRNA expression levels were noted at 7 and/or 14 days post neovascularization for Pecam1 encoding CD31 (b), Lyve1 encoding lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor LYVE1 (c), Oprk1 encoding kappa opioid receptor 1 (d), Vegfa encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A, (e) Vegfc (f), Flt1 encoding VEGF receptor 1 (g), Kdr encoding VEGFR-2 (h), Flt4 encoding VEGFR-3 (i), Nrp1 encoding neuropilin-1 (j), and Ifng encoding interferon-γ (k). Data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (n = 3 in all cases). Statistical significance of differences is illustrated as follows: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 (one-way analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni test). (l) Heatmap shows the distribution of fold changes in mRNA levels of angiogenetic and inflammation factors in the cornea after neovascularization induction. ns, no significant difference.