Roles of Intestinal Kruppel–like Factor in the genesis of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Intestinal Kruppel–like Factor (IKLF), a member of zinc finger type transcription factors, is involved in the neovascularization after the inferior limb ischemia and cardiovascular remodeling. However, the function of IKLF in the retinal vessels has not been studied. In the current study, using the mice lacking one allele of the IKLF gene (IKLF (+/–) mice), the role of IKLF was investigated in the pathological retinal neovascularization using a model of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: First, in order to investigate the retinal phenotype of the IKLF (+/–) mice, the retinal sections were obtained from 8 to 12 weeks old IKLF (+/–) mice and subjected to histological analysis. Next, in order to investigate the effects of IKLF in the ROP model, the IKLF (+/–) mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days from the postnatal day 7 (P7) and the animals were removed to room air. Mice were sacrificed at P17 and the retinal neovascularization and vascularized/nonvascularized area were examined by visualizing the retinal vessels by FITC–conjugated dextran. Results: The retina and its vessels of the IKLF (+/–) mice were normal. Analysis of vascularized/nonvascularized area demonstrated no significant difference in the KLF–1 (+/–) mice compared to the WT type mice. However, neovascularity was decreased by 74% in the KLF–1 (+/–) mice compared to the controls (p=0.0317). Conclusions: IKLF is dispensable for the normal retinal vascular proliferation and but is involved in pathological retinal neovascularization in vivo.

Keywords: neovascularization • retinopathy of prematurity • proliferation