Sufficient Cav-1 levels in the endothelium are critical for the maintenance of the neurovascular unit in the retina.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a pivotal protein in the plasma membrane. Studies on homozygous Cav-1 deficient mice revealed that Cav-1 is essential for endothelial function and angiogenesis in the retina. However, whether a reduction in Cav-1 content hampers the neurovascular unit (NVU) in the retina is unclear. Thus, this study examines the NVU in the retinas of heterozygous Cav-1 deficient (Cav-1^+/-) mice and analyzes possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The vascular, glial and neuronal components in the retina were evaluated using retinal morphometry, whole mount retinal immunofluorescence staining, histological analysis and optical coherence tomography. In addition, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining, subcellular fractionation, biotin labelin

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10623831 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature