Attenuation of retinal neovascularization in an OIR model with the use of αB-crystallin knockout mice. In (A-H), FITC-Isolectin-B4 angiography in wild-type (A-D) and αB crystallin^−/− (E-H) mice at P12 (A,E) and P17 (B-D,F-H) with OIR. At P12, avascular areas identified with arrows. In panel H, the αB^−/− flat mount is seen at greater magnification with additional DAPI nuclear staining. Bars indicate 1 mm in panels A, B, E, and F; 200 μm in panels C, D, and G; and 50 μm in panel H. Original magnification, ×50. Images obtained by the use of a confocal microscope (Zeiss) with a 2.5×/0.12 NA (A,B,E,F) and a 40×/1.3 oil immersion NA (C,D,G,H). In panels I-L, hematoxylin and eosin staining in wild-type (I,J) and αB crystallin^−/− (K,L) mice at P12 (I,K) and P17 (J,L) with OIR. At P12, occluded existing retinal vessels identified with white arrows. At P17, neovascular tufts identified with black arrows. Bars indicate 100 μm in panels I-L. Original magnification, ×100). Images were obtained by the use of a Spot II digital camera and fluorescence microscope (Leica) with a 20×/0.5 NA. In panels M and N, immunofluorescent staining with isolectin-B4 (green) demonstrates prominent neovascularization (white arrows) in wild-type nice (M) and infrequent neovascularization in αB crystallin^−/− mice (N). Bar indicates 50 μm. Original magnification, ×100. Images were obtained by the use of a SpotII digital camera and fluorescence microscope (Leica) with a 40×/0.75 NA lens.