To test the expression of erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptor EpoR in normal and neovascularized murine corneas induced by alkaliburns, and to investigate whether Epo/EpoR is involved in the process of corneal angiogenesis.
METHODS:
The expression of Epo/EpoR was tested in normal and neovascularized murine corneas induced by alkaliburns through immunohistochemistry of corneal frozen sections. Epo cloning, expression, and purification were carried out. Then Epo protein (6μL, 1μg) and control (6μ L of vector control or saline) were injected into the corneal stroma respectively, and the corneas were checked at the 14th day after injection to see whether corneal neovascuarization occurred.