Diminished corneal angiogenesis in gelatinase A-deficient mice

The goal of the present study was to define the role of gelatinase A in angiogenesis. We performed corneal micropocket assays in gelatinase A-deficient mice and their age-matched wildtype littermates. The corneal neovascular area in gelatinase A-deficient mice (0.15 +/- 0.14 mm(2)) was significantly less than that of wild-type littermates; (0.53 +/- 0.35 mm(2) - P < 0.01). Similarly, aortic ring assays showed significant reduction of endothelial outgrowth in gelatinase A-deficient mice (0.26 +/- 0.14 mm(2)) as compared to wild-type littermates (0.44 +/- 0.06 mm(2); P < 0.05). These results suggest that gelatinase A may play an important role in the regulation of corneal angiogenesis. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.