Fig. 2. Nasal shifts in retinal patterning after Fgf-receptor (Fgfr) inhibition.
(A-E) epha4b gene expression at the 28 hour stage after Fgfr
inhibitor treatment between the 1- and 5-somite stage results in a partial
expansion of epha4b from the temporal half into the nasal retina (B).
Treatment between the 3- and 8-somite stage (C), and 5- and 10-somite stage
(D) induces expansion of epha4b expression throughout the retina.
Treatment between the 10- and 15-somite stage has no effect on epha4b
expression (E). Mock-treated control in A. Nasal expression of foxg1
(F) and efna5a (G) is absent after treatment between the 5- and
10-somite stage (compare with Fig.
3A,C). (H) Dorsal tbx5 expression is shifted nasally
(compare with Fig. 3G),
vax2 expression is not altered (I) (compare with
Fig. 3I). (K) Gene expression
intensity profiling of epha4b in the retina at 28 hours along a
clockwise 360° profiling trajectory (J) after Fgfr-inhibitor treatment
(mean values, n=3 eyes): comparison of epha4b expression
gradients shows the peak in the requirement for Fgfr signaling in retinal NT
patterning during the 5- and 10-somite stage (yellow). Treatment periods are
color-coded as indicated. Axial positions (in radial degrees of a circle;
0°/360°=ventromedial retina) along the profiling trajectory
(x-axis) are plotted against the expression level (mean values of
three eyes) in gray values on an 8-bit scale (y-axis). (L) Eye size
after Fgfr-inhibitor-treatment along the NT and DV axis compared with
wild-type control eyes. Sizes (µm) are mean values (n=9). Images
are flat-mounts of dissected eyes, orientation as indicated in A. Dashed
outlines indicate the position of the lens. Arrowheads indicate the
ventralmost position of the eye marked by the choroid fissure. D, dorsal; V,
ventral; N, nasal; T, temporal.