Laminins and retinal vascular development

Abstract

The mechanisms controlling vascular development, both normal and pathological, are not yet fully understood. Many diseases, including cancer and diabetic retinopathy, involve abnormal blood vessel formation. Therefore, increasing knowledge of these mechanisms may help develop novel therapeutic targets. The identification of novel proteins or cells involved in this process would be particularly useful. The retina is an ideal model for studying vascular development because it is easy to access, particularly in rodents where this process occurs post-natally. Recent studies have suggested potential roles for laminin chains in vascular development of the retina. This review will provide an overview of these studies, demonstrating the importance of further research into the involvement of laminins in retinal blood vessel formation.

Many blinding retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, involve the development of abnormal vasculature. This pathological angiogenesis is believed to occur via the same actors as normal retinal vessel development. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms regulating normal vascular development will also aid in understanding these pathological conditions. Furthermore, knowledge obtained from studying the retina can be transferred to angiogenesis in general, including that related to tumor formation. The retina is an easily accessible, non-invasive model in which to study vascular development. This is particularly true in rodents in which retinal vessels develop post-natally.

As recently reviewed by Simon-Assmann and colleagues, several lines of evidence suggest that laminins are important in vascular development.¹ The current review will focus on the potential role laminins play in vascular development of the mouse retina. Laminins are heterotrimeric glycoproteins and there are currently 16 known laminin isoforms,² each containing an alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) chain. A number of laminin chains are expressed in the basement membrane of the retinal vessels and in the retinal basement membranes where they could influence vascular development.

Retinal Structure

The retina is the nervous tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye and is separated from the lens by a gel-like substance known as the vitreous. Two basement membranes create borders for the retina. The inner limiting membrane (ILM) separates the retina from the vitreous while Bruch’s membrane separates it from the choroid. The adult retina contains three layers of neurons. From the vitreous, these are: the ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer (INL, containing the bipolar, horizontal and amacrine cells) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL, containing the photoreceptors). These retinal neuronal layers are separated by synaptic layers known as the inner and outer plexiform layers (IPL and OPL respectively). Müller cells, the primary glial cell of the retina, have their nuclei in the INL and extend primary processes throughout the entire retina, coming in close contact with most other cells, including endothelial cells. These glial cells assume many homeostatic roles in the retina. Ganglion cell axons extend across the retinal surface in bundles and exit to the brain via the optic nerve. The ganglion cell/nerve fiber layer also contains the other glial cell of the retina, astrocytes, that surround retinal vessels to form the blood retinal barrier. The structure of the retina is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The definition of retinal layers. An adult retinal section stained with hematoxylin and eosin demonstrating the layers of the retina. From the vitreous, labeled on the left side, these are: ILM, inner limiting membrane; GC/NFL, ganglion cell/nerve fiber layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; IPM, interphotoreceptor matrix; BrM Bruch’s membrane (BrM). The laminin chains are shown on the right side where they are expressed in the retina.

Retinal Blood Vessel Development

The mouse retina is nourished by three layers of retinal vessels: the superficial, intermediate and deep layers, as well as the choroidal vessels, which feed the photoreceptors. As the steps involved in retinal vascular development have been reviewed,^3,4 they will not be discussed extensively here. Briefly, retinal vessels develop post-natally in rodents and in mid-gestation in humans. Prior to the development of the retinal vasculature, the retina is nourished by embryonic vessels known as hyaloid vessels, residing in the vitreous. This hyaloid vasculature is composed of the tunica vasculosa lentis (TVL) and the vasa hyloidea proprea (VHP). The TVL nourishes the lens while the retina is supported by the VHP. As the retinal vessels develop, the hyaloid vessels regress to create a transparent vitreous. This regression is normally complete by post-natal day (P) 21 in the mouse⁵ and by birth in humans. While the mechanisms behind hyaloid regression are not fully understood, this is believed to involve macrophage-induced apoptosis.⁶ Hyaloid and retinal vessels share a common artery supply which emerges through the optic nerve head. Therefore, it has been suggested that reduced blood flow in the hyaloid vessels is partially responsible for the regression of the VHP.^5,7 For a more thorough review of hyaloid regression, the reader is directed to the recent review by Ito and Yoshioka.⁵

Mature retinal vessels in the mouse form via angiogenesis, or the budding of vessels from pre-existing vessels.^4,8,9 The superficial, or primary, retinal vasculature, which lies in the ganglion cell layer, develops during the first week. The vessels in this plexus have a spoke-like pattern, resembling spokes on a wheel. Between P7 and 10, these superficial retinal vessels dive into the retina to form two additional layers of vessels. The deep vascular plexus, in the OPL, is complete by P14 while the intermediate plexus forms by P21 in the IPL⁸ (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. A schematic of retinal vascular development in the normal mouse. Depicted are the key stages in normal vascular development in the mouse. Solid lines indicate blood vessels while broken lines indicate vessels that are regressing. At P1, the hyaloid vasculature in the vitreous (V; white area) consists of the vasa hyloidea proprea (VHP) and the tunica vasculosa lentis (TVL) and the retinal vessels have begun forming. By P7, the superficial vascular plexus in the retina (R) is complete and the TVL and VHP have begun to regress. At P14, the deep retinal plexus is formed and the TVL has regressed. The intermediate plexus forms and the hyaloid vessels completely regressed by P21. The arrow indicates the ILM.

While the mechanisms controlling vascular development in general are beginning to be understood,^10,11 this process in the retina is not yet fully elucidated. Retinal vessels in the mouse are preceded by an astrocyte template, which is thought to provide guidance.^8,9 Astrocytes enter the retina from the optic disc beginning around embryonic day 15 with vessels beginning to form around P1.⁸ Different factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and R-cadherin, from astrocytes are believed to provide cues which guide retinal vessel formation.⁸ Increased neuronal metabolism is hypothesized to increase astrocyte production of VEGF.¹² The ablation of VEGF in astrocytes, however, does not prevent vessel formation,¹³ suggesting that other cell types and proteins are also involved in this process. The location of Müller cell endfeet at the ILM makes these cells excellent candidates for guiding vascular development. Indeed, these glial cells are assumed to stimulate the diving of retinal vessels to the outer retina by producing VEGF.¹² Therefore, it seems probable that they could guide the superficial plexus formation as well.

The potential involvement of cells other than astrocytes in retinal vessel formation is supported by the fact that retinal vessels form ahead of the astrocyte template in dogs¹⁴ and man.¹⁵ In addition, these vessels form via vasculogenesis from precursor cells, known as angioblasts.^14,16,17 This process is completed in humans at birth but occurs post-natally in the dog. These developing vessels are followed closely by astrocytes migrating from the optic nerve.¹⁵ As in the mouse, astrocytes ensheath developing vessels, helping to form the blood retinal barrier. Deeper in the retina, Müller cells are part of the blood retinal barrier.

The Expression of Laminin Chains in the Retina

Laminins are found in the two retinal basement membranes, the ILM and Bruch’s membrane as well as the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) and OPL.¹⁸ The expression of laminin chains within the retina is summarized in Table 1 and Figure 1. The developmental expression of laminin has been examined in mouse and chick eyes.¹⁹ In the mouse, the α2 chain is detected as early as embryonic day (E) 13.5 (the earliest time point reported) in the optic nerve, chiasm, retina and hyaloid vessels. By early post-natal development, laminin α2 is also found in the ganglion cells and nerve fiber layer, consistent with a role for this chain in guidance of retinal ganglion cells.¹⁹ A later study investigated the expression of individual laminin chains in the fetal human retina.²⁰ The ILM contains laminins α1, α5, β1, β2 and γ1 from 9 to 20 weeks gestation (WG).²⁰ Bruch’s membrane contains all of these chains plus α3 and α4. Interestingly, α1 expression in Bruch’s membrane decreases with age and is not detected at 20WG while α4 expression increases with age.²⁰

Table1. Laminin chain distribution during retinal development.

Laminin chain	Retinal expression	Ages detected	Biological function	References
α1	ILM	9 WG-adult (Hn),	Binds ILM to receptors on Müller cells. Defects disrupt retinal vascular development	18 and 20
	BrM	9 WG-adult, decreases with age in fetal ages
		(Hn)
α2	BMs surrounding ON, retina and OC	E13.5 (Ms)	Provides guidance for developing ganglion cells.	19
	ON, OC, GC, NFL, BV	Birth- adulthood
α3	BrM	9–20 WG (Hn)	Retinal synapse formation.	18 and 20
	IPM and OPL	Adult (Hn, rat)
α4	ILM, BrM	9–20 WG, increases with age (Hn)	Formation of BrM	20
	IPM, OPL, Müller cells	Adult (Hn, rat)	Retinal synapse formation	18
	BV (tip cells)	Adult (Hn, rat), birth-P5 (Ms)	Regulates vascular branching by activating Delta-like4/Notch1 pathway	22
α5	ILM, BrM	9 WG-adult (Hn) Adult (rat)	Formation of ILM and BrM	18 and 20
	BV (endothelial cells), astrocytes	birth-P5 (Ms)		22
β1	ILM, BrM	9 WG-adult (Hn)	Formation of ILM and BrM	18 and 20
β2	ILM, BrM	9 WG-adult (Hn)	Formation of ILM and BrM	18 and 20
	IPM and OPL	Adult (Hn, rat)	Retinal synapse formation	18
β3	IPM and OPL	Adult (Hn, rat)	Retinal synapse formation	18
γ1	ILM, BrM	9 WG-adult (Hn)	Formation of ILM and BrM, BV wall	18 and 20
γ2	IPM and OPL	Adult (Hn, rat)	Retinal synapse formation	18
γ3	IPM and OPL	Adult (Hn, rat)	Retinal synapse formation	18
	BV, BrM, ILM, amacrine cells	Birth-adult (Ms)	Development of microvasculature	21

Shown is a summary of the laminin chains found in the retina as has been reported in the mouse, rat and human. Abbreviations used: BM, basement membrane; BrM, Bruch’s membrane; BV, blood vessels; E, embryonic day; GC, ganglion cells; Hn, Human; ILM, inner limiting membrane; IPM, interphotoreceptor matrix; Ms, Mouse; NFL, nerve fiber layer; ON, optic nerve; OC, optic chiasm; OPL, outer plexiform layer; WG, weeks gestation.

The expression of laminin chains within the retina has also been examined in adult human and rat retinas.¹⁸ The ILM and Bruch’s membrane both contain laminins α1, α5, β1, β2 and γ1 while the α3, α4, β2, β3, γ2 and γ3 chains are found in the IPM and OPL.¹⁸ The components in the photoreceptor matrix and plexiform layers may be important for retinal synapse formation.¹⁸ Laminin α4 is also found in Müller cells as well as, along with the α2 and α5 chains, the retinal vasculature.¹⁸

More recently, the expression of laminin chains associated with retinal vessels has been investigated. One study looked at laminin γ3 in the mouse retina.²¹ This chain is most prominent in Bruch’s membrane and vascular basement membranes but also detected in the ILM and a subpopulation of amacrine cells. From the development of retinal vessels into adulthood, laminin γ3 is closely associated with the microvasculature of retinal vessels.²¹ Another recent study looked at the expression of laminins α4 and 5 within the developing mouse retinal vasculature.²² Laminin α4 mRNA is most highly expressed in the tip cells at the edge of the developing vasculature while that of laminin α5 is primarily in the vascular plexus.²² The laminin α4 protein, however, appears to be less restricted as it is detected in the endothelial cells of retinal vessels but not in the tip cell filopodia. Laminin α5 protein is found in both endothelial cells and retinal astrocytes.

Formation of the ILM

Of the basement membranes, the ILM is particularly pertinent to the current review as it lies just above the superficial retinal vascular plexus. The development of the ILM appears to be unique in that the cells binding it do not produce its components. Rather, it has been hypothesized that these proteins are produced by the lens and ciliary body and released into the vitreous, where they are stored until the ILM forms.^23-27 While this is an unusual basement membrane formation, it is well supported by the mRNA expression patterns for the ILM proteins and receptors.

It has been demonstrated in the chick that laminin-111 and other ILM components, including collagens IV and XVIII, nidogen and perlecan are produced by the lens, ciliary body and epithelia surrounding the optic disc rather than within the retina.^23,26,27 In the mouse eye, the only ILM component shown to be produced within the retina is laminin β1.²⁸ The other proteins in this structure are synthesized in the lens and ciliary body.^28,29 Similarly, the human retina does not contain mRNA for laminins α1, α2, β1 and γ1¹⁸ or collagen IV.²⁵ Adult human Müller cells, however, contain laminin β2³⁰ and γ3 mRNA.¹⁸ During embryonic development, as the eye and ILM are increasing in size, the vitreous of both humans and chicks contains large amounts of all ILM components but these levels decrease rapidly and are barely detected in the adult vitreous.^26,27

When the ILM is disrupted in the chick retina via collagenase, intravitreal injections of laminin-111, but not other ILM components, initiate the reconstitution of this structure.²⁴ Furthermore, this reconstitution can be blocked by an antibody against laminin-111. Together, these data have led to the speculation that laminin-111 is the key molecule to start the formation of the ILM by binding to receptors on Müller cells.²⁴ A similar feature has been described for the formation of the Reichert basement membrane, which is not formed after the deletion of LM-111^31,32 or laminin receptors, such α dystroglycan.³³ This hypothesis is supported by the fact that laminin α1, the α chain of laminin-111, holds the binding sites which anchor the ILM to receptors, such as integrins and dystroglycan,^34,35 which are found on Müller cells.^36-39 Other ILM components within the vitreous are believed to then bind to this stabilized laminin-111.^25,26 Together, these data suggest that laminin α1 is crucial for forming and maintaining the integrity of the ILM.

Lessons from Laminin Mutant Models

Laminin α1

The potential importance of Lama1, the gene coding for the laminin α1 chain found in only two laminin isoforms, in vascular development within the eye was first suggested by studies in zebrafish.⁴⁰ Twenty-four hours after fertilization, endothelial cells of the hyaloid vessels in Lama1 mutant zebrafish larvae lack capillaries. In addition, blood flow is reduced compared with controls and the mutants die as larvae, making it impossible to assess the long-term phenotype. Similarly, the deletion of Lama1 in mice causes embryonic lethality due to the failure to form Reichert’s membrane, which allows maternal blood to enter the yolk sac.^31,41 Two mouse models with mutations in Lama1 were recently identified that survive into adulthood and experience severe retinal defects.^42,43 One mutant, known as Lama1^nmf223, bears a recessive mutation in the LN domain of Lama1.⁴² The other mutant, Lama1^Δ/Δ, was generated using a floxed allele for Lama1³¹ crossed with Sox2-Cre mice, which eliminates expression in the embryo while allowing the formation of Reichert’s basement membrane.⁴²

Lama1^Δ/Δ mice experience cerebellum defects resulting in abnormal neuronal migration and cell proliferation causing motor problems.^44,45 In addition, the development of the retinal vasculature is disrupted.^42,43 Interestingly, despite the differences in molecular origin and effects on laminin α1 expression, the two Lama1 mutants have similar retinal phenotypes. Retinal vessels emerge at P0 in the Lama1 mutants, as they do in the control mouse, as an apron of retinal vessels surrounding the optic nerve head. Therefore, the Lama1 mutations do not affect the differentiation or initial migration of endothelial cells. By P3, however, Lama1 mutant retinal vessels have traversed the ILM, along with astrocytes, into the vitreous. Once in the vitreous, these vessels are indistinguishable from the hyaloid vessels and extend across the vitreal surface of the ILM but no superficial vascular plexus forms in the retina (Fig. 3). Astrocytes wrap around these vessels, creating a dense vitreal membrane (Fig. 3D–I). The vitreal vessels dive into the outer retina between P7 and P10 to form the deep and, later, intermediate retinal vascular plexi (Fig. 3K and L). Thus, despite lacking a superficial vasculature within the retina, the intermediate and deep vascular plexi form at the correct ages in the Lama1 mutants.

Figure 3 (See opposite page). Retinal vascular defects in the Lama1 mutant mice. (A–I) Retinal flatmounts from P7 mice were stained with GFAP (red; astrocytes) and GS isolectin (green; blood vessels). In the wild type retina (A–C), vessels and astrocytes spread across the entire retina. Hyaloid vessels (arrows) have begun regressing. By contrast, the retina of Lama1^nmf223 mice (D–F) has a vastly reduced number of astrocytes with vessels only in the peripapillary region (D). (A, D, G = peripapillary region; B, E, H = midperiphery; C, F, I = far periphery). When the Lama1 mutants retinas are stained with the hyaloid vessels intact (G–I), astrocytes ensheath these vessels and form a membrane in the vitreous. A cross section from a P7 Lama1 mutant stained with GS isolectin (green) and laminin (red) demonstrates the exit of retinal vessels into the vitreous. Cross sections from P10 Lama1^nmf223 eyes labeled with PDGFRα (light blue; astrocytes), GS isolectin (green), anti-pan laminin (red; ILM) and DAPI (blue) show vessels from the vitreous branching into the retina. The inner retinal vessels are forming from these diving vessels (paired arrows). Astrocytes expressing laminin (solid arrowhead) on the vitreal side of the ILM (open arrowhead) near the VHP (arrows). Scale bars indicate (A–I), 100 µm; (J–L), 50 µm. Images in this figure were originally published in BMC Developmental Biology.⁴³

These data suggest that a fully functional laminin α1 is necessary for the migration of retinal astrocytes and, subsequently, endothelial cells in the mouse retina. Laminin α1 could guide astrocyte and endothelial cell migration through direct interactions or indirectly through its binding partners. The localization of this protein above the nerve fiber layer and its early expression during development would be ideal for a protein guiding astrocytes across the retinal surface.

Yet another possibility is that laminin α1, as an adhesion molecule, guides Müller cell processes and their endfeet to their position at the ILM during development. Indeed, in vitro, laminin-111 stimulates Müller cell migration and guides process formation.⁴⁶ In both Lama1 mutants, many Müller cells extend endfeet beyond the ILM into the vitreous as early as P0.5.^42,43 This extension into the vitreous could be driven by the laminin on the basement membrane of hyaloid vessels. Since Müller cells produce VEGF,¹² which can stimulate astrocyte proliferation and migration,⁴⁷ this could explain the abnormal migration of astrocytes into the vitreous. Further work is warranted to better understand the influence of Müller cells in guiding retinal astrocyte and blood vessel development in the retina.

The retinal phenotype observed in Lama1 mutants has some features found in two different human syndromes, persistent fetal vasculature (PFV)^48,49 and Knobloch syndrome.⁴⁹ The glial membrane formed in Lama1 mutants is similar to that associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, a complication occurring after retinal surgery or in diabetes.^50-53 In both PFV and Knobloch syndrome, the hyaloid vasculature fails to regress as they normally do once retinal vessels have formed.^48,49 Müller cells and astrocytes also enter the vitreous, ensheathing hyaloid vessels and creating a glial membrane.^54-56 Together, these abnormalities cause traction on the retina, leading to retinal detachment and blindness at a young age. Therefore, the two Lama1 mutants could be valuable in identifying treatments for such retinal diseases. In addition, this suggests that mutations in LAMA1 could lead to retinal disease in humans and should be added to screenings, particularly in the cases of PFV and Knobloch syndrome.

Laminin α4

Lama4 encodes the laminin α4 chain, which is found in four laminin isoforms. This chain is expressed by blood vessel cells and participates in the formation of blood vessel basement membranes.⁵⁷ Its invalidation in mice leads to hemorrhages during development and at birth, due to an endothelial basement membrane defect. This defect is compensated at 3 weeks of age as blood vessels are stabilized by the accumulation of laminin α5.⁵⁸ The retinal vascular development in Lama4^−/− mice was recently investigated.²² At P5, when the primary retinal vasculature is approximately 70% complete, the vascular density is significantly higher in the Lama4^−/− mice compared with controls. This is accompanied by an increase in branching and tip cell formation as well as reduced vascular maturation and lumen size. Endothelial cell proliferation is also significantly elevated in the Lama4^−/− mice. It was further demonstrated that several Notch1 actors, including Hey1, Hey2, Nrarp and Dll4, are reduced in the Lama4^−/− mice. These data indicate that laminin α4 may initiate Dll4/Notch interactions and this role was confirmed using notch inhibitors. Hypersprouting of retinal vessels and reduced Dll4 expression in tip cells is also observed by endothelial cell-specific deletion of integrin β1 during early post-natal retinal development. These results led the authors to conclude that laminin α4, through adhesion to integrins, activates Dll4 and, thus, the Notch pathway.²² While this report eloquently described the role of laminin α4 in the initial stages of retinal vascular development, it did not go beyond P5. As the retinal vasculature is not fully developed until P21 in the mouse, it would be interesting to know how the intermediate and deep vascular plexi are affected by the loss of Lama4.

Laminin β2

Lamb2 encodes the laminin β2 chain that is found in the retinal basement membranes and plexiform layers.¹⁸ Mutations in LAMB2 have been shown to cause Pierson syndrome, a fatal congenital nephrotic condition that also causes ocular abnormalities.^59,60 The ocular defects in Pierson syndrome vary among patients but include microcorcia, glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment as well as PFV.⁵⁹ As mentioned above, PFV can in fact cause the other ocular anomalies observed in patients with Pierson syndrome. While the etiology of this condition is not understood, one could speculate that the ILM may be altered, as in Lama1 mutant mice, since laminin β2 is found in this basement membrane and together with laminin α1 in the 121 laminin isoform.¹⁸

The role of Lamb2 in the retina has also been investigated using Lamb2 null mice. The loss of laminin β2 disrupts dopaminergic neuron and rod photoreceptor synapses development, leading to abnormal electroretinograms.^61,62 As suggested by Pierson syndrome, the ILM does not form properly in Lamb2^−/− in mice.^63,64 Consequently, Müller cell endfeet of Lamb2^−/− mice associate with blood vessels and the polarity of these cells is abnormal. No retinal vascular defects have been reported in the Lamb2^−/− mice.

Laminin γ3

The Lamc3 gene encodes the laminin γ3 chain, found in five laminin isoforms.² Laminin γ3 is expressed in the microvasculature of the retina as well as the ILM and Bruch’s membrane.²¹ The potential role of this protein in retinal vascular development was recently investigated using a Lamc3 knockout mouse.²¹ Despite the widespread expression of this laminin chain within the retina, neither retinal lamination nor the development of individual retinal cells is altered by the deletion of Lamc3. The retinal vasculature, however, is altered in Lamc3 knockout mice. In contrast to the Lama1 mutants described above, the Lamc3 mice develop a normal primary and intermediate plexi with artery and vein development unaffected. The deep vascular plexi, at the layer of the OPL, however, has an increased number of capillaries resulting from increasing branching.²¹ Therefore, it appears that Lamc3 may be involved in regulating the migration of endothelial cells within the outer retina.

The retinal defects associated with the deletion of Lamb2 were worsened when Lamc3 was also deleted.^61,64 Müller cell processes and ganglion cells were observed entering the vitreous.⁶⁴ Lamb2 and Lamc3 double knockout mice also had a thickened Bruch’s membrane, hyperplastic retinal pigment epithelial cells, disorganized and shortened photoreceptor outer segments, retinal dysplasia and synaptic defects.⁶⁴

Conclusions

The available data clearly demonstrate the importance of laminins in retinal vascular development. Further research is required to fully appreciate how laminins function in retinal vascular development and to look at the influence of other laminin chains. In addition, the influence of laminin receptors, such as integrins and dystroglycan, on retinal vascular development should also be investigated. The mouse models reviewed herein will help elucidate the regulation of vascular development.

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.