Purpose. The study of angiogenesis depends on reliable and reproducibl
e models for the stimulation of a neovascular response. The purpose of
this research was to develop such a model of angiogenesis in the mous
e cornea. Methods, Uniformly sized Hydron pellets containing either ba
sic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth fac
tor (VEGF) and sucralfate were prepared and implanted into the stroma
mouse cornea adjacent to the temporal limbus. Results. Neovascularizat
ion of the corneal stroma began on day 3 and was sustained through day
8. The bFGF-induced neovascularization was consistent and dose depend
ent in C57B1/6, as well as in severe combined immune deficient, beige
natural killer cell-deficient, and nude mouse strains. Biomicroscopic
and histologic examination of bFGF- and VEGF-induced angiogenesis was
notable for the absence of corneal edema or substantial inflammation.
Conclusions, This noninflammatory model of corneal neovascularization
is especially advantageous because it is reproducible, economical, and
facilitates investigation of angiogenesis in various murine tumor mod
els as well as in genetically defined murine strains.