Figure 6
P7 flatmount retinas labeled with anti-GFAP (red) and GS isolectin (green). A complete primary retinal vascular network and astrocyte template were observed in the WT mouse at P7 (A, D = peripapillary region, B, E = midperiphery C, F = far periphery). The GS isolectin positive cells in A are likely hyalocytes on the VHP (arrows). Remodeling of the retinal blood vessels had also already occurred in the control retina (A). The astrocyte template was more evident with the green channel turned off (D-F). By contrast, retinal vessels were observed only at the optic nerve head (bottom left) in the Lama1nmf223 retina (G) and not in mid (H) or far periphery (I). Isolated GS isolectin positive cells could be seen across the retina. Astrocytes in the mutant retina (G-I) were reduced in number and did not have the honeycomb-like pattern observed in the WT (D-F). When the vitreous was left intact, a dense astrocyte mesh was observed along with a vitreal capillary network in all regions (J = peripapillary, K = mid retina, and L = peripheral retina). Scale bars indicate 100 ÎĽm.