VEGF-B inhibits apoptosis via VEGFR-1–mediated suppression of the expression of BH3-only protein genes in mice and rats
J. Clin. Invest. Yang Li, et al. 118:913 doi:10.1172/JCI33673 [Go to this article.]

Figure 4
VEGF-B inhibits excitotoxin-induced apoptosis in the retina. (A) NMDA intravitreous treatment led to massive apoptosis in the retina as shown by TUNEL staining. (B and C) VEGF-B₁₆₇ treatment significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells in all the 3 layers of the retina. Scale bar: 20 μm. (D) Real-time PCR assay revealed that VEGF-B₁₆₇ treatment inhibited the expression of the BH3-only protein (Bmf, Hrk, Bad, Bid, Bim) and other apoptotic/cell death–related genes in the NMDA-injured retina. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.