Figure 5.
Vascular networks in the retina are depicted by fluorescein-labeled lectin staining in retinal whole mount preparations (A, C) and in a schematic of a retinal cross-section (B). Images in A and C were taken at different focal planes and colored red (primary plexus), green (inner deeper plexus) and blue (outer deeper plexus), and superimposed using a computer. At P8 (A) sprouts (yellow) are emerging from veins (v) and capillaries but not arteries (a). At P14 (C) all three networks are established. Arrowheads indicate connections between the primary and the inner deeper plexus. Arrows indicate connections between the inner and outer deeper plexus (RGC, retinal ganglion cells; IPL, inner plexiform layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; RPE, retinal pigment epithelium). Scale bars are 100 μm. Adapted from Fruttiger, 2007.