A MODEL OF ANGIOGENESIS IN THE MOUSE CORNEA

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.