Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA in developing choroidal neovascularization

Purpose. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an angiogenic peptide that may be important in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularizatiort. We attempted to determine the transcription of the bFGF gene during the development of experimentally induced choroidal neovascularization.Methods. Rat bFGF cDNA was inserted in the pBluescript to prepare antisense and sense riboprobes. Multiple krypton laser burns were applied to the posterior poles of the eyes of pigmented rats according to a protocol described for producing subretinal neovascularization in these animals. At intervals of up to 4 weeks after photocoagulation, the eyes were removed and cut into thin sections. The sections were subjected to histopathological analysis, cell proliferation study, or in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled single-strand riboprobes synthesized from rat bFGF cDNA.Results. In normal adult rat retinas, bFGF mRNA expression was mainly observed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. After la...