Rat, Corneal Neovascularization

The formation of new blood vessels by angiogenesis is an integral part of both normal developmental processes and numerous pathologies, ranging from tumor growth and metastasis to inflammation and ocular disease. Preclinical studies of disease mechanisms and the search for efficient treatments therefore includes assays for quantification of the effects of stimulators and inhibitors of angiogenesis. In certain diseases of the eye, angiogenesis is one of the fundamental processes where new blood vessels originating from the corneal veins will extend into the corneal stroma. This process, which is a biological consequence of inflammation, can also be used as an angiogenesis assay e.g., for testing agents with cancer treatment potential. The in vivo corneal neovascularization assay is based on the introduction of an angiogenic factor, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into the cornea of experimental animals, and then monitoring the effect of an inhibitor administered locally or systemically. The capillary growth, which takes place in a uniform direction towards the VEGF implant (see FIGURE 1), can then be monitored and quantified over time.