Objective To investigate the role of ephrin A genes in the development of oxygen induced retinalneovascularization (OIR) in mice.Methods The OIR model was established by oxygen induction in new born C57BL/6J mice.Reversed transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of ephrin A1-A5 in retinas of mice in experimental and normal control group.Results All of the ephrin A family genes expressed in normal retinas. Ephrin A1 mRNA was significantly higher in OIR group(t=3.19,P=0.019); ephrin A2 mRNA was higher in the 15-day-old OIR retinas(t=3.71,P=0.033）; ephrin A3-A5 mRNA decreased or disappeared in 12 and 13-day-old RNV mice, and increased in 15-day-old OIR mice. Conclusion Ephrin A genes are involved in the development of retina and OIR.
Retinal neovascularization is a complicated pathophysiological process as a result of imbalance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Correct understanding of the signaling pathways, exploring the critical factors involved in retinal angiogenesis, looking for new strategies by reconstructing the new vessels are helpful for knowing the mechanism of the occurrence and development of reitnal neovascularization, which would be good for preventing and treating retinal neovascularization diseases.