Fig. 1.

Genotypic and phenotypic features of the mice strains. Genotyping analysis of the mice from their tail clips was performed via DNA electrophoretic gel depicting pups positive for the missing matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) alleles [MMP-9 knockout (KO)] with staining of DNA band at 177 bp, while FVB/NJ line showing a band at 277 bp (A). The noninvasive in vivo imaging of the retinal microvasculature by fundoscopy (B2) wherein deficiency of MMP-9 shows less degenerative changes of retinal arteries, veins, or the whole vasculature with the preservation of major vessels in the retina in comparison to the C57BL/67 (B1) and the background FVB/NJ mouse (B3) strains (B) and the MMP-9 activity as assessed by gelatin zymography (C).