Heterozygote: Heterozygous mice are viable, fertile and normal in size .
Homozygote: These VEGF120 mice express a VEGF isoform that lacks exons 6 and 7 (including the extracellular matrix binding structures) resulting in a protein that is highly soluble. The majority of homozygous pups die shortly after birth due to cardiorespiratory distress; survivors do not live beyond two weeks of age due to impaired angiogenesis resulting in cardiac failure. Homozygotes exhibit severe retinal vascular defects including a primitive vascular labyrinth at post natal day 5 (P5), delayed periendothelial cell recruitment and reduced numbers of pericytes. In mice that survive to P9, the capillary bed covers two thirds of the retina. Arteriole and venule development is reduced and capillary number is increased. Capillaries are dilated and fragile resulting in hemorrhages. Hyaloid arteries appear dilated and tortuous with no connections to the retinal vasculature. Hyaloid regression is not observed by P9. Numbers of renal and cornary arteries are reduced. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of retinal vascular outgrowth and patterning. The Donating Investigator reports that very few mice survive beyond post natal day 1.

These VEGF120 mice express a VEGF isoform that lacks exons 6 and 7 (including the extracellular matrix binding structures) resulting in a protein that is highly soluble. Most homozygotes die shortly after birth and exhibit severe retinal vascular defects, delayed periendothelial cell recruitment and reduced numbers of pericytes. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of retinal vascular outgrowth and patterning.

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.