Regulation Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Human Fetal Choroid Vascularization

Purpose:To investigate the spatial and temporal regulation effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) on human fetal choroids vascularization.Methods:The eyeballs of 54 human fetuses from the 9th week to the 40th week due to accidental abortion were studied by immunohistochemically stainin for the expression of VEGF and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).Results: (1)The distribution of VEGF expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) decreased with the incrase of age,the peak of which was between the 9th and 14th week.(2)PCNA immunoreactivity was localized within choriocapillaris endothelium .The expression level decreased alone with fetus age.In this period the choriocapillaris endothelium kept proliferation,differentiation,canalization and remodeled to form the choroids vessels(3)Statistically significant correlations were shown between the expression of VEGF in the PRE and that of PCNA in choriocapillaris endothelium(r=0.933,P<0.01).Couclusin:VEGF expression in PRE was positively involved in modulating human fetal choroids vascularization .Eye Science 2000;16:11-14.