May 2007
Volume 48, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2007
Distinct Roles of Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis in Formation of the Human Choroidal and Retinal Vasculature
T. Chan-Ling; L. C. Baxter; R.-A. Sterling; J. Dahlstrom; E. G. Bean; S. Hughes
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • T. Chan-Ling
    Department of Anatomy, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • L. C. Baxter
    Department of Anatomy, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • R.-A. Sterling
    Department of Anatomy, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • J. Dahlstrom
    Department of Pathology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • E. G. Bean
    Department of Pathology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • S. Hughes
    Department of Anatomy, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships T. Chan-Ling, None; L.C. Baxter, None; R. Sterling, None; J. Dahlstrom, None; E.G. Bean, None; S. Hughes, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia, Macular Vision Loss Support Society, Canberra Hospital Private Practice Fund
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2007, Vol.48, 6018. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      User Alerts
      You are adding an alert for:
      Distinct Roles of Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis in Formation of the Human Choroidal and Retinal Vasculature
      You will receive an email whenever this article is corrected, updated, or cited in the literature. You can manage this and all other alerts in My Account
      The alert will be sent to:
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation
      Citation

      T. Chan-Ling, L. C. Baxter, R.-A. Sterling, J. Dahlstrom, E. G. Bean, S. Hughes; Distinct Roles of Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis in Formation of the Human Choroidal and Retinal Vasculature. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(13):6018.

      Download citation file:

      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
    • Get Permissions
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose:: Our earlier work has shown that both vasculogenesis (formation of blood vessels via the prior invasion of vascular precursor cells) & angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels via budding from existing vessels) play a role in formation of human retinal vasculature. Our aim was to determine if both processes also contribute to formation of human choroid.

Methods:: Human foetal eyes aged 9-40 weeks gestation (WG) were collected according to guidelines set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki. Choroidal & retinal wholemounts & histological sections were examined using antibodies including Vimentin, CD14, CD31, CD34, CD39 (ecto-ADPase), Factor VIII & histochemical stains (H & E). Endothelial proliferation was examined in retinal & choroidal wholemounts by developing a new method of double-labelling with bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) & CD34, a marker specific for vascular endothelial cells. A systematic review of published data for evidence of vasculogenesis & angiogenesis during early stages of choroid formation was also undertaken.

Results:: Vimentin+ mesenchymal precursor cells were evident in the region of the incipient choroid at 9 WG, and down regulation of Vimentin was evident with maturation. CD14+ vascular precursor cells (VPCs) were evident in the choroidal stroma throughout fetal life. CD39+/CD34+ VPCs were evident within the choroidal stroma from 10 WG, interspersed amongst CD39+ solid vascular chords in the central one-third of the choroid surrounding the optic nerve head. The choroidal vasculature showed no disc to periphery topography of formation. Increase in vascular density via angiogenic budding from existing vessels was evident in the formation of all 3 choroidal layers from optic nerve head to peripheral choroid.

Conclusions:: Our observations lead us to suggest that formation of the human choroid takes place via transformation from Vimentin+ mesenchymal precursor cells to CD14+/CD39+/CD34+ vascular precursor cells. Vasculogenesis plays a far greater role in formation of human choroid than previously reported but angiogenesis also contribute to the formation of the human choroid. Angiogenesis is mediated by hypoxia-induced VEGF, whereas vasculogenesis is independent of VEGF. Greater understanding of the cellular processes & molecular cues regulating vasculogenesis are required to provide a rationale for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization observed in ARMD, the leading cause of blindness in the aged population.

Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • age-related macular degeneration • retinal development 
© 2007, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.Accept