Figure 7. Intravitreal injection of M2 macrophages derived from CD14⁺ cells reduces oxygen induced neovascularization.

CD14⁺ cells were differentiated into M1 or M2 cells and injected into the vitreous of P7 mice just prior to high oxygen exposure in the OIR model. At P17 the areas of obliteration (yellow) and neovascular tuft formation (red) were quantified as described in the experimental procedures. Both M1 and M2 populations significantly reduce the areas of obliteration compared to the control-treated eyes (n = 17, 15, 10 and 10 respectively, n = number of eyes for each treatment) (Bonferroni corrected t-test, *P <0.001). M2 cells are significantly more effective than the M1 cells at reducing the area of neovascularisation compared to the vehicle- or non-injected eyes. (B) At P17, CD14⁺-treated retinas show recruitment of mouse macrophages expressing mannose receptor (MR) (green). GS-lectin staining shows mouse vasculature (red). (C) MR positive cells are not observed in vehicle-treated eyes (20X).