Figure 3. Microglia activation exacerbates subretinal neovascularization in Vldlr^–/– mice.

LPS or vehicle (PBS) was injected subcutaneously into Vldlr^–/–; Cx3cr1^GFP/+ mice at P4 or P28, and then the number of subretinal NV tufts were quantified at P23 or P42, respectively. (A) GS-lectin–stained flat-mounted retinas from Vldlr^–/–; Cx3cr1^GFP/+ mice after LPS treatment. (B) Magnification of flat-mounted retinas from Vldlr^–/–; Cx3cr1^GFP/+ mice treated with LPS or vehicle at P4. (C and D) LPS treatment at an early stage (P4) significantly increased the number of NV tufts in P23 Vldlr^–/–; Cx3cr1^GFP/+ mice, while LPS treatment at a later stage (P28) did not affect the number of subretinal NV tufts compared with vehicle control (C; vehicle: n = 11, LPS: n = 10, D; vehicle: n = 5, LPS: n = 7). Error bars indicate the mean ± SEM. The P values were calculated using an unpaired 2-tailed t test. ****P < 0.0001. Scale bars: 1 mm (A); 50 μm (B).