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Biomedical subjects

Ray F Gariano

Publications and source records attributed to Ray F Gariano.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Retinal angiogenesis in development and disease.

The retina has long been regarded as 'an approachable part of the brain' for investigating neurosensory processes. Cell biologists are now capitalizing on the accessibility of the retina to investigate important aspects of developmental angiogenesis, including how it relates to neuronal and glial development, morphogenesis, oxygen sensing and progenitor cells. Pathological angiogenesis also occurs in the retina and is a major feature of leading blinding diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy. The retina and its clinical disorders have a pivotal role in angiogenesis research and provide model systems in which to investigate neurovascular relationships and angiogenic diseases.

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Expression of angiogenesis-related genes during retinal development.

We assessed expression patterns of angiogenesis-related genes in mouse retina during perinatal vascularization and in adulthood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) and its receptors flk, flt1, and neuropilins 1 and 2 are expressed in both vascularized and avascular areas. Within the expression domain for vegf, appearance of these receptors is spatially and temporally non-overlapping. Expression of flk, flt1, the matrix metalloproteinase mt1-mmp, and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase timp2, but not of mmp2, mmp9, timp1, or timp3, correlates with inner retinal vascularization. In particular, expression of flk, flt1 and mt1-mmp in the inner retina begins adjacent to the optic nerve head and extends anteriorly during the first week of life, roughly concordant with the growth of retinal vessels. Several genes (vegf, flk, flt1, timp2, possibly mmp9) appear to be expressed by retinal glia.

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Evaluation and management of suspected retinal detachment.

Retinal detachment often is a preventable cause of vision loss. There are three types of retinal detachments: exudative, tractional, and rhegmatogenous. The most common type is rhegmatogenous, which results from retinal breaks caused by vitreoretinal traction. Risk factors for retinal detachment include advancing age, previous cataract surgery, myopia, and trauma. Patients typically will present with symptoms such as light flashes, floaters, peripheral visual field loss, and blurred vision. Early intervention facilitates prevention of retinal detachment after formation of retinal breaks and improves visual outcomes of retinal detachment surgery. Patients with acute onset of flashes or floaters should be referred to an ophthalmologist.

Aged↗

Cellular mechanisms in retinal vascular development.

Since the pioneering work of Ashton and others, the primate retina has been thought to vascularize by a vasculogenic linkage of endothelial precursor cells. Recent investigations using specific histologic and morphologic criteria question the contribution of vasculogenesis to retinal development. Instead, in primates and mice cells previously designated as retinal angioblasts have been identified as astrocytes that form a vascular-like plexus preceding vessel invasion. Further, in primates and mice retinal vascularization proceeds via angiogenic sprouting from pre-existing vessels in all regions and stages. However, the developing retinal vasculature may utilize novel sources of endothelial cells, such as recruitment of circulating stem cells and redeployment of mural cells from regressing vessel segments. These results provide a framework for study of retinal vascular development, validate the common use of perinatal retinal models in angiogenesis research, and clarify the cellular basis of retinopathy of prematurity.

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