Figure 4. Increased choroidal neovascularization caused by overexpression of adeno-associated virus-vascular endothelial growth factor (AAV-VEGF)-B167 and 186 at rupture sites in Bruch’s membrane. A–C: Two weeks after subretinal injection of AAV-VEGF-B167(A), AAV-VEGF-B186(B), or AAV-GFP(C), mice underwent laser photocoagulation that ruptured Bruch’s membrane in three locations in each eye. Fourteen days later, mice were perfused with fluorescein-labeled dextran, and choroidal flatmounts were prepared and examined by fluorescence microscopy. Compared to eyes treated with a subretinal injection of AAV-GFP(C), the area of choroidal neovascularization at Bruch’s membrane rupture sites was significantly increased in eyes given a subretinal injection of AAV-VEGF-B167 (A, D) or 186 (B, D). The arrows define the limits of the choroidal neovascularization. D shows that the area of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), expressed in mm², is significantly increased following a subretinal injection of AAV-VEGFB-B167 or 186. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. Statistical comparisons were made by unpaired t test (*p<0.05). Images A to C have the same scale. Scale bar represents 100 μm.