Heterozygote: Heterozygote phenotype is similar to the wild-type phenotype.
Homozygote: Mice homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable, but exhibit reduced fertility, smaller litter sizes and some prenatal lethality. Surviving homozygotes gain less weight than wild-type controls. Retinal arterial development in VEGF188 mice is impaired. By post natal day 5 (P5), only half the normal number of large vessels (mostly venules) are present in the vascular bed of the retina. By P9, arterioles are observed to be smaller in size and only 50% have developed and grown out over 17% of the retina. In controls, 88% of the retinal radius is covered by P9. Venous and capillary development appears normal.
VEGF188 mice express a VEGF protein with all eight exons that avidly binds to the cell surface and extracellular matrix. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of retinal angiogenesis.

Retinal arterial development in VEGF188 mice is impaired. Homozygotes exhibit reduced fertility, smaller litter sizes and some prenatal lethality. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of retinal angiogenesis.

This strain is hosted by NIH's MMRRC, which partners with JAX for the distribution of this and other strains. For additional information and to purchase, please visit the MMRRC site.