FIG. 9.

BMP4 promotes apoptosis in the PMs. (A) Effect of BMP4 and Noggin on apoptosis in PMs in vivo. Transcorneal injections of PBS (P), BMP4 (200 ng, B) and Noggin (500 ng, N) were performed with day 8 rats. After 1, 2, or 4 days, PMs were dissected and TUNEL-positive cells were counted. Data are shown as the mean percent apoptosis ± standard error (n = 30) (upper panel). Representative fields of PMs stained with TUNEL are shown (lower panels). (B) Morphological change of pupillary membranes at day 14 rats after injections of reagents at day 10. (a and b) Persistent PMs at day 14 after injection of Noggin (500 ng) (a) or the BMP4-specific neutralizing antibody (1 μg) (b). (c and d) The contralateral PMs injected with PBS from the animals in panels a and b. (C) Quantification of the remaining capillary cells in PMs. Noggin (500 ng, N), the BMP4-specific neutralizing antibody (1 μg, Ab) and PBS (P) injections were performed at days 6, 8, and 10, and this was followed by dissection at day 13 or 14 as indicated. The remaining capillary cells were analyzed by NIH image and expressed relative values to untreated PMs (−). Data are shown as the mean ± standard error (n = 50 to 60).