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The advantages of western medical research were analyzed and the differences between skin nerve stimulation in western medicine and acupuncturemoxibustion in TCM were compared, so as to inspire the scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion in China. The related literature was searched and the research basis, content and achievements of the American stimulating peripheral activity to relief condition (SPARC) program were systematically summarized. From the perspectives of theoretical system, stimulation site, stimulation method and mechanism of action, the similarities and differences between skin nerve stimulation in western medicine and acupuncturemoxibustion in TCM were compared. Through comparative analysis, it is found that the systematic construction of SPARC "high-resolution neural circuit map" is essentially the upgraded version of the traditional distribution map of meridians and acupoints in China, which is similar to the research on origin of nervous system and stimulation site of acupuncturemoxibustion of TCM. Under the impact of "localization of traditional Chinese medicine" in other countries, learning from the international advanced research technology, gathering top-level talents, and encouraging openness and innovation will be the necessary pathway to improve the quality of acupuncturemoxibustion research and master the power of knowledge initiative.
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Acupuncture , Education , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , China , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Meridians , MoxibustionABSTRACT
We examined interactions between the 83 kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp83) and hsrω long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) inhsrω66 Hsp90GFP homozygotes, which almost completely lack hsrω lncRNAs but over-express Hsp83. All +/+; hsrω66Hsp90GFP progeny died before the third instar. Rare Sp/CyO; hsrω66 Hsp90GFP reached the third instar stage butphenocopied l(2)gl mutants, becoming progressively bulbous and transparent with enlarged brain and died after prolongedlarval life. Additionally, ventral ganglia too were elongated. However, hsrω66 Hsp90GFP/TM6B heterozygotes, carrying +/+ or Sp/CyO second chromosomes, developed normally. Total RNA sequencing (+/+, +/+; hsrω66/hsrω66, Sp/CyO; hsrω66/hsrω66, +/+; Hsp90GFP/Hsp90GFP and Sp/CyO; hsrω66 Hsp90GFP/hsrω66 Hsp90GFP late third instar larvae) revealedsimilar effects on many genes in hsrω66 and Hsp90GFP homozygotes. Besides additive effect on many of them, numerousadditional genes were affected in Sp/CyO; hsrω66 Hsp90GFP larvae, with l(2)gl and several genes regulating the centralnervous system being highly down-regulated in surviving Sp/CyO; hsrω66 Hsp90GFP larvae, but not in hsrω66 orHsp90GFP single mutants. Hsp83 and several omega speckle-associated hnRNPs were bioinformatically found topotentially bind with these gene promoters and transcripts. Since Hsp83 and hnRNPs are also known to interact, elevatedHsp83 in an altered background of hnRNP distribution and dynamics, due to near absence of hsrω lncRNAs and omegaspeckles, can severely perturb regulatory circuits with unexpected consequences, including down-regulation of tumoursuppressor genes such as l(2)gl.
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The NIH-funded "Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC)" program has been initiated in Octomber 2016, aiming at developing high resolution neural circuit maps and next generation neural modulation devices. This program has brought great stimulus to acupuncturists and acupuncture researchers both at home and abroad. Is the SPARC program a driving force or a challenge of acupuncture research? In the present study, we introduced the SPARC program and compared it with current acupuncture research. The first step of SPARC is to better map neural circuits associated with disease on the anatomical level so as to identify the best points for intervention, and to decode the neural language at these intervention points for developing a dictionary of patterns associated with health and disease states on the signaling level. Similarly, our acupuncture research also focuses on revealing the neural encoding of acupuncture stimulation and its effect on visceral function, seeking suitable stimulation parameters to regulate the abnormal visceral activity precisely. Therefore, the common point of SPARC program and acupuncture research is the scientific basis of peripheral somatic neuronal regulation, and their difference is that acupuncture regulates the visceral function through multiple neural circuits and neural feedbacks by stimulating the sensitized points or acupoints, achieving homeostasis at last. Acupuncture-induced regulation effect is limited and the therapy is safe. Whereas, "stimulating periphe-ral activity (SPA)" can regulate the visceral organs precisely but without neural feedback. Inevitably, SPA will produce tolerance or side effects. Therefore, there is still much work to be done in terms of the initiation of trigger stimulation and the feedback inhibition of target organ effects. The SPARC program is definitely a powerful force in revealing the mechanisms by which acupuncture works.
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Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) on high fluoride-induced apoptosis of thyrocytes. Methods: Human thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) were cultured and treated with various concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 mmol/L) of NaF for 24 h, and the expression of SPARC was evaluated using Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, NaF group, si-SPARC group (cells were transfected with SPARC siRNA for 48 h and then exposed to NaF for 24 h), and si-NC group (cells were transfected with negative control siRNA for 48 h and then exposed to NaF for 24 h). Cytotoxicity was assayed using CCK-8 and LDH; cell apoptosis rate was detected with ELISA. The expressions of cleaved caspase3 (c-caspase3) and IGF-1R were measured by Western blot. In addition, si-SPARC and si-IGF-1R were co-transfected into thyrocytes to further explore mechanisms of SAPRC by evaluating apoptosis. Results: The mRNA and protein levels of SPARC were augmented with the increase of NaF (P<0.05). Cell viability was significantly higher in si-NC group than that in si-SPARC group [(84.02±9.51)% vs. (58.31±6.86)%, P<0.05], and the release rate of LDH was lower [(134.25±18.98)% vs. (195.18±23.50)%, P<0.05]. Cell apoptosis rate was lower in si-SPARC group than that in si-NC group [(124.67±19.44)% vs. (175.24±16.46)%, P<0.05]. In addition, silencing SPARC upregulated the expression of IGF-1R (1.95±0.24 vs. 0.93±0.08, P<0.05), and inhibition of IGF-1R reversed the effect of SPARC on apoptosis. Conclusion: Inhibition of SPARC reduces high fluoride-induced cytotoxicity and blocks cell apoptosis. The possible mechanism is through the negative regulation of IGF-1R.
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Filtering bleb scarring is the main cause of glaucoma filtration surgery failure. Subconjunctival injection of antimetabolites, such as mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil, is widely used clinically to reduce the incidence of scarring, which improves the success rate of the surgery. However, accompanied side effects such as cytotoxicity should not be ignored. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) as a matricellular protein is widely distributed in the eyes, which plays an important role in the process of wound repairing and tissue remodeling. The expression of SPARC is significantly elevated in the mouse model of subconjunctival scarring. Researches suggest that SPARC participates in and regulate the formation of bleb scarring through multiple pathways, therefore it may become a specific new target in the anti-scarring therapy.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the expression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and the fibrosis in cultured human Tenon's fibroblast (HTF) in vitro. Methods:HTF cells were obtained from Tenon's capsule tissues of patients undergoing strabismus surgery. Immunofluorescence was used to identify the HTF cells. HTF cells were cultured with different concentrations of VEGF, and which were divided into four groups, i.e., 0 ng/mL group, 25 ng/mL group, 50 ng/mL group and 100 ng/mL group. The expression of SPARC, collagen- , and matrix metalloprotein 9 (MMP-9) and the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway were analyzed by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The abilities of proliferation and migration of HTF cells were detected by MTS assay and scratch test, respectively. Results:HTF cells were observed and identified by inverted phase contrast microscope and immunofluorescence. Under the stimulation of VEGF, the expression of protein and mRNA of SPARC, collagen-I and MMP-9 of HTF cells in other three groups were increased compared with 0 ng/mL group; the phosphorylation activities of ERK pathway were up-regulated, and the proliferation and migration abilities of HTF cells were up-regulated. And the effect was the most obvious in the 50 ng/mL group. Conclusion:VEGF is involved in promoting the fibrosis of HTF cells accompanied by the up-regulation of the SPARC, which suggests SPARC may become a potential regulatory site.
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Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular protein highly expressed in bone tissue that acts as a chemoattractant factor promoting the arrival of prostate cancer (PCa) cells to the bone marrow. However, the contribution of SPARC during the early stages of tumor progression remains unclear. In this study, we show that SPARC is highly expressed in PCa tissues with a higher Gleason score. Through stable knockdown and overexpression of SPARC in PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively, here we demonstrate that endogenous SPARC induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), decreasing E-cadherin and cytokeratin 18 and increasing N-cadherin and vimentin. Moreover, SPARC induces the expression of EMT regulatory transcription factors Snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snail), Snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (Slug), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1). In addition, SPARC knockdown in PC3 cells decreases migration and invasion in vitro, without modifying cell proliferation. Our results indicate that SPARC might facilitate tumor progression by modifying the cellular phenotype in cancer cells.
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Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular protein highly expressed in bone tissue that acts as a chemoattractant factor promoting the arrival of prostate cancer (PCa) cells to the bone marrow. However, the contribution of SPARC during the early stages of tumor progression remains unclear. In this study, we show that SPARC is highly expressed in PCa tissues with a higher Gleason score. Through stable knockdown and overexpression of SPARC in PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively, here we demonstrate that endogenous SPARC induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), decreasing E-cadherin and cytokeratin 18 and increasing N-cadherin and vimentin. Moreover, SPARC induces the expression of EMT regulatory transcription factors Snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snail), Snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (Slug), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1). In addition, SPARC knockdown in PC3 cells decreases migration and invasion in vitro, without modifying cell proliferation. Our results indicate that SPARC might facilitate tumor progression by modifying the cellular phenotype in cancer cells.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Blotting, Western , Cell Line, Tumor , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Neoplasm Grading , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Osteonectin/metabolism , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Tissue Array AnalysisABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the influence of chemotherapy on the phenotype of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in gastric cancer (GC). Methods:Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze SPARC expression in 132 GC patients. Among these patients, 54 with preoperative chemotherapy and 78 without preoperative chemotherapy were selected to analyze the effect of chemotherapy on SPARC phenotype by comparing the postoperative specimens of the two cohorts. Results:SPARC expression was higher in GC lesions than in the desmoplastic stroma surrounding the tumor cells and noncancerous tissues. High SPARC expression was related to invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging. SPARC expression was lower in patients with preoperative chemotherapy than in controls ( P<0.05). Gross type, histology, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, and SPARC phenotype correlated with the overall survival of the patients with preoperative chemotherapy. Further multivariate analysis suggested that lymph node metastasis, histology, and SPARC phenotype after chemotherapy were independent prognostic indicators of GC. Conclusion:SPARC expression was associated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging and GC prognosis. Preoperative chemotherapy may change the phenotype of SPARC in GC patients.
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Objective To study the expression of acid secreted proteins that are rich in cysteine protein (SPARC protein)in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue and its relationship with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.Methods In order to detect SPARC protein expression levels in gastric adenocarcinoma ,104 primary gastric adenocarcinoma samples as well as 30 normal gastric tissues adjacent to carcinoma were studied by immu-nohistochemistry .Results The positive rate of SPARC protein in 30 cases of gastric mucosa adjacent to carcino-ma is 20%,and with weak expression or no expression;The positive rate in 104 cases of gastric cancer tissues was 76.1%,the difference was significant(P<0.01).The high expression rate of SPARC and lymph node metastasis in gastric adenocarcinoma were positively correlated (P<0.01).The SPARC expression rate of well and moderate differentiation of gastric adenocarcinoma were significantly lower than that of the low differentiation ( P<0 .05 ) . The average survival time of gastric cancer patients with high SPARC expression was 27.4 months.However,the average survival time of the patients with low SPARC expression was 40.9 months.The difference was significant (P<0.05).Conclusion SPARC protein is mainly high expressed in gastric cancer stromal tissue cells and fi-broblasts .The expression level of SPARC protein is significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation degree .The high expression of SPARC patients survival time is short and the prognosis is poor . However ,SPARC protein is not an independent prognostic factor .
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PURPOSE: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), also known as osteonectin or basement-membrane-40 (BM-40), is a member of a family of matricellular proteins, whose functions are to modulate cell-matrix interactions, growth and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. In this study, the expression of SPARC was evaluated and its correlations with clinicopathological parameters were investigated. METHODS: The researchers analyzed the expression patterns of SPARC by using immunohistochemistry in 332 cases of colorectal cancer of tissue microarray. The clinicopathological characteristics were defined by using the TNM criteria of the Union for International Cancer Control. Clinicopathological factors such as age, sex, histologic type of the tumor, pathologic tumor stage, TNM stage, and lymphovascular invasion were evaluated according to the SPARC expression. RESULTS: The hazard ratios expressing SPARC in tumor cells, in the stroma, and in both tumor cells and the stroma were 2.10 (P = 0.036), 3.27 (P = 0.003) and 2.12 (P = 0.038), respectively. Patient survival was decreased in patient expressing SPARC in the stroma, and this result showed statistical significance (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that SPARC expression in a tumor and in the stroma correlates with disease progression and may be used as a prognostic marker for colorectal cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Colorectal Neoplasms , Cysteine , Disease Progression , Immunohistochemistry , Osteonectin , Prognosis , ProteinsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), also known as osteonectin or basement-membrane-40 (BM-40), is a member of a family of matricellular proteins, whose functions are to modulate cell-matrix interactions, growth and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. In this study, the expression of SPARC was evaluated and its correlations with clinicopathological parameters were investigated. METHODS: The researchers analyzed the expression patterns of SPARC by using immunohistochemistry in 332 cases of colorectal cancer of tissue microarray. The clinicopathological characteristics were defined by using the TNM criteria of the Union for International Cancer Control. Clinicopathological factors such as age, sex, histologic type of the tumor, pathologic tumor stage, TNM stage, and lymphovascular invasion were evaluated according to the SPARC expression. RESULTS: The hazard ratios expressing SPARC in tumor cells, in the stroma, and in both tumor cells and the stroma were 2.10 (P = 0.036), 3.27 (P = 0.003) and 2.12 (P = 0.038), respectively. Patient survival was decreased in patient expressing SPARC in the stroma, and this result showed statistical significance (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that SPARC expression in a tumor and in the stroma correlates with disease progression and may be used as a prognostic marker for colorectal cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Colorectal Neoplasms , Cysteine , Disease Progression , Immunohistochemistry , Osteonectin , Prognosis , ProteinsABSTRACT
RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to examine secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)mRNA and protein expression in adipose tissue of rats. The results showed that the expression levels of SPARC mRNA and protein in adipose tissue of insulin resistant rats were higher than those of the normal ones(all P＜0.01). SPARC may play a role in the negative feedback regulation duning the development of insulin resistance.
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@#Objective To evaluate the surgical approaches,complications,safety and efficacy of the suprapubic arc sling(SPARC) applied for stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods 30 female patients with SUI accepted SPARC through the anterior vaginal wall.Results All the cases clinically improved.1 patient experienced bladder injury,and get well 5 d after the operation;1 patient experienced post-procedure voiding dysfunction,but got well after the tape was cut 2 weeks later.All of the cases were followed up for 12～20 months with good results.Complete dryness was seen in 93.3%(28/30),6.7%(2/30) showed significant improvement.No leakage occurred.Conclusion SPARC is a simple,reliable procedure for anti-incontinence with good results.
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Objective To assess the methylation patterns in CpG islands of SPARC genes and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters. Methods Bisulfite treatment of genomie DNA and sequencing analysis was used to study methylation patterns in the CpG islands of SPARC genes in fresh tissues from 6 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 6 normal pancreatic tissues, 17 pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the cancer adjacent tissues, as well as 6 normaI blood samples for normal control, and compared the results with clinicopathological parameters. Results WBC DNA showed no methylation of SPARC gene CpG islands. The methylation rates in CpG islands of SPARC genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the cancer adjacent tissues, chronic pancreatitis and normal pancreatic groups (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 CpG sites) were 61.6%, 47.1%, 37.5%, 24.7%, respectively. The methylation rates in CpG islands (1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 sites) were 52.0%, 28.7%, 16.7% and 0. The difference were statistically significant between the pancreatic adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis as well as normal pancreas groups (P＜0.001), and the difference were not statistically significant between the pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the cancer adjacent tissues. CpG hypermethylation were not related to risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, history of CP, the tumor size, differentiation and TNM staging, lymph node metastasis. Conclusions CpG in SPARC gene extron 1 was hypermethylated in pancreatic cancer, and this may be an early event in the development of pancreatic cancer.
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Tissue-derived angiogenic factors are thought to play an important role in angiogenesis. Among these, SPARC and VEGF are known to be involved in physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. However, the expression of these factors in the rabbit retina, especially in the early postnatal period, remains unclear. To determine whether these factors contribute to retinal angiogenesis in the rabbit retina, expression of SPARC and VEGF was studied by immunohistochemistry at postnatal (P) days 0, 7, 14, and 28. (1) SPARC immunoreactivity was observed in the nerve fiber layer of the medullary ray and the pigment epithelium at all ages. In whole mount preparations, SPARC immunoreactivity was noted in many astrocytes surrounding nerve fibers or blood vessels in the medullary ray. (2) VEGF immunoreactivity of variable intensity was found in ganglion cells, vascular endothelial cells, and some astrocytes. VEGF immunoreactivity was detected from P0, was maintained until P14, and was markedly lower at P28. The spatial pattern of SPARC expression suggests that SPARC functions as a crucial regulator that determines the selective location of the retinal angiogenic process. The temporal pattern of VEGF expression suggests that VEGF is a major angiogenic factor involved in rabbit retinal angiogenesis.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents , Astrocytes , Blood Vessels , Endothelial Cells , Epithelium , Ganglion Cysts , Immunohistochemistry , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Nerve Fibers , Retina , Retinaldehyde , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor AABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare IRIS procedure with TVT and SPARC in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence(SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 96 patients with SUI who underwent sling procedure, we retrospectively compared IRIS procedure(n=34) to TVT(n=32) and SPARC(n=30). All patients were evaluated preoperatively with a detailed history, pelvic examination, voiding cystourethrography, urodynamic study and incontinence staging with SEAPI classification. Parameters of comparison included presence of stress incontinence, length of hospital stay, duration of catheterization, operation time, complication, success rate and satisfaction rate. RESULTS: The success rates were 97%, 96.9% and 96.7% in the IRIS, TVT and SPARC group, respectively. The satisfaction rates were 94.1%, 96.9% and 96.6% in the IRIS, TVT and SPARC group. The complication rates were 23.5%, 21.8% and 23.3% in the IRIS, TVT and SPARC group. There was no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups in terms of success rates, satisfaction rates, complication rates, and postoperative subjective SEAPI scores. CONCLUSION: IRIS procedure was equally effective compared to conventional mid urethral sling procedure such as TVT and SPARC in the management of female SUI with high cure rates and acceptably low complication rates.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Catheterization , Catheters , Classification , Gynecological Examination , Iris , Length of Stay , Retrospective Studies , Suburethral Slings , Urinary Incontinence , UrodynamicsABSTRACT
Background and purpose:Recent researches have shown that Secreted Protien Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) was closely related to tumor genesis, tumor progression and tumor metastasis. SPARC was highly expressed in malignant melanoma, glioma, meningioma, bladder cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer, etc. In this study we investigated SPARC expression in hepatocellar carcinoma (HCC) and its signifi cance. Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect SPARC mRNA expression in cancer tissue samples and their adjacent liver tissue samples from 62 patients with hepatocellar carcinoma and 30 normal liver tissue samples, respectively. And the differential protein expression of SPARC between these groups was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results:SPARC mRNA was highly expressed in HCC(14.0?3.6) and in the adjacent liver tissue (6.8?1.8); compared with low expression of 2.7?0.9 in normal liver tissue, there were signifi cant differences among the three groups (p=0.000). SPARC positively stained was found in 54 of 62 patients with HCC and 4 of 30 normal liver tissue, there was significant difference between these two groups (P=0.000). SPARC immunohistochemical score was 21.5?4.8 in the carcinoma group; 11.3?3.6 in paracarcinoma group and 5.7?1.8 in the normal group, there were also significant differences among the three groups (P=0.000). The expression of SPARC protein was significantly upregulated with the progress of Enmondson pathological classification. There was obviously differences between Ⅰvs Ⅱ(P=0.029), and Ⅱ vs Ⅲ Ⅳ(P=0.008). There was more SPARC expression in the patients with metastasis of HCC (26/27, 96.3%) than that without metastasis(23/35, 65.7%)(P=0.004). Conclusion:SPARC mRNA expression and its protein were related to HCC histological differentiation and metastatic lymph node; SPARC is helpful to clinical evaluation of HCC.
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SPARC, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, is a extracellular matrix-associated protein implicated in the modulation of cell adhesion, migration, cell cycle regulation, and angiogenesis. SPARC is expressed in fibrocytes and endothelial cells involved in tissue repair and invasive malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, breast, lung, kidney, adrenal cortex, ovary, and brain. This study was aimed to characterize the different expression of SPARC in the thyroid follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in paraffin-embedded tissues of 25 follicular adenomas and 15 follicular carcinomas of the thyroid gland. Immunohistochemically, SPARC was not expressed in the 19 follicular adenoma and 2 follicular carcinoma but highly expressed in the 6 follicular adenoma and 13 follicular carcinoma. These findings suggest that SPARC is a potential diagnostic marker of follicular carcinoma and is helpful to distinguish follicular carcinoma from follicular adenoma without vascular or capsular invasion.
Subject(s)
Female , Adenoma , Adrenal Cortex , Brain , Breast , Cell Adhesion , Cell Movement , Cysteine , Endothelial Cells , Gastrointestinal Tract , Kidney , Lung , Ovary , Thyroid GlandABSTRACT
Normal angiogenesis is very important in the embryonic period and even in the postnatal period. If the vascularization is inadequate or excessive, several pathologic conditions may develop. Angiogenesis is well controlled and there are several angiogenic factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identiified as an endothelial cell specific mitogen with potent angiogenic properties. Recently, a matricellular protein known as SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) is also proposed as one of new angiogenic factors. So, I planned to investigate the expression pattern of these two factors in the rat retina and to correlate their expression pattern with intraretinal vascularization. I used Sprague-Dawley rat as the experimental animals and divided them into 7 groups according to their postnatal age: 0-day, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, 21-day, 28-day and adult. Immunohistochemistry was done. The results were as follows. 1. No SPARC immunoreactivity is observed in neural retina until postnatal day 7. At that time, weak immunore-activity is noted and it is gradually increased. The most intense immunoreactivity is noted at postnatal day 21 and 28. SPARC immunoreactivity is restricted in the nerve fiber layer and especially prominent around the blood vessels. Although SPARC immunoreactivity is much weaker than that of GFAP, the expression patterns of both factors are similar to each other. But, no SPARC immunoreactivity is observed in the adult retina. 2. Weak VEGF immunoreactivity is observed in the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer and inner portion of inner nuclear layer even at postnatal day 0. After postnatal day 14, VEGF immunoreactivity is dramatically decreased in the nerve fiber layer, but it still remained in the ganglion cell layer and inner portion of inner nuclear layer. Although immunoreactivity is most intense at postnatal day 14 and 21, VEGF immunoreactivity is still observed in the ganglion cells at postnatal day 28 and adult. The spatial and temporal patterns of VEGF expression suggest that VEGF may function as a direct angiogenic factor in the retinal angiogenesis of rat. In the contrary, SPARC immunoreactivity is observed transiently in some period. So, SPARC is seemed to be a regulator that is involved only in limited steps of the retinal angiogenesis.