Fig. 2.

ILK is indispensable for plexus formation in the deeper retina. a Ilk^iECKO mutants and littermate controls received intraperitoneal tamoxifen injections every other day from P3–7 and were analyzed at P14. b Isolectin B4-stained Ilk^iECKO mutants and littermate control retinas. Optical sections of z-stacked confocal images were divided to represent the nerve fiber layer (NFL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and outer plexiform layer (OPL). Note strong reduction of the Ilk^iECKO IPL and OPL vasculature. Scale bar, 200 μm. c, d, XY-extended, ZY-extended, and XYZ plane view high magnification images of control and Ilk^iECKO retinas stained with isolectin B4. Vertical sprouting is impaired and abnormal, bulging endothelial structures decorate dilated vessels in Ilk^iECKO retinas. Scale bar, 100 μm (top) and 50 μm (bottom) in (c), 25 µm in (d). e Quantification of branch points, vascular area coverage, vertical sprouts and capillary vessel diameter, as shown in (b) and (c). Error bars, s.e.m. p values (***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01), Student’s t test (n = 6 retinas/group). Source data are provided as a Source Data file