Fig. 4

Rescue effect of increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels on angiogenesis and Notch signaling in AIBP (apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)–binding protein) null retinas. Retinas were isolated from Apoa1bp−/−Apoa1Tg and control Apoa1bp−/− mice at postnatal day 5 (P5), and whole-mount immunostaining of CD31 (cluster of differentiation 31 protein; green) and Col IV (red) was performed. A, Confocal images of retinas. Quantification of vessel and retina diameter (B) and vessel area (C). Retinal vasculature (D) and the quantification of branch points in the front areas (E) and central areas (F). G and H, Tip cells and the quantification. I and J, Filopodia extension and the quantification. K, Notch intracellular domain (NICD), phospho-VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2; pVEGFR2), and total VEGFR2 protein levels in P5 retinas from Apoa1bp−/−Apoa1Tg and control Apoa1bp−/− mice. L, Quantification of NICD protein levels in K. M, Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the Notch downstream Hey1, Hey1, and Hes2 gene expression in the retinas from Apoa1bp−/−Apoa1Tg and Apoa1bp−/− mice at P5. Mean±SD, n=3; *P<0.05; **P<0.01. Scale bar: A and D: 200 μm; G and I: 20 μm.