Hif2α in myeloid cells regulates angiogenesis in proliferative retinopathy

Retinal hypoxia is the main trigger for pathological neovascularization (NV) in proliferative retinopathies (PR), such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). Synergisms between hypoxia, angiogenesis and innate immune response exist, which could be integrated at the level of the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF). HIF2α is expressed in endothelial and myeloid cells. To study the role of myeloid cell HIF2α for pathologic NV in the course of PR, we engaged myeloid HIF2α ko mice in the model of Oxygen Induced Retinopathy (OIR), which resembles proliferative DR. We found reduced NV due to myeloid-specific HIF2α deletion. IHC in…