Fig. 5
Evaluation of the effect of TSPAN4 on PVR development in a rabbit model. A A flow chart of the in vivo rabbit PVR model experiments. Gas vitrectomy was conducted by intravitreal injection of C3F8. RPEs were transfected with Lv-sh-TSPAN4 to stably silence TSPAN4 or Lv-sh-ctrl as the normal control. Thereafter, these two groups of RPE cells were injected into the vitreous cavity of the rabbits to induce PVR 7 days after gas vitrectomy. B PVR grades were evaluated in each group at indicated times based on the fundus image. C Representative ultrasound B-scan image at indicated time in both groups. A funnel-shaped retinal detachment can be observed in Lv-sh-ctrl group. The yellow arrows marked the detached retina in the vitreous space. D Representative fundus image of rabbits in each group at indicated times. Yellow arrows at wrinkles and folds of the detached retina. E HE staining showed detached retina with contractile membranes in Lv-sh-ctrl group, whereas in Lv-sh-TSPAN4 group the ERM is thinner. F The immunofluorescence of GFAP in eyeball sections of Lv-sh-ctrl and Lv-sh-TSPAN4 groups indicates the disordered structure of retina and formation of contractile ERM (white arrow) in the control group. N, nerve optic; ONL, outer nuclear layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; GCL, ganglion cell layer; ERM, epiretinal membrane. Values are mean ± s.e.m. NS, is not sufficient