Figure 1

Bmp4 expression assessed by expression of the Lacz reporter gene in Bmp4^lacZneo heterozygotes [25]. All images are from mice of 129/SvEvTac X Black Swiss mixed background that lack obvious haploinsufficient ocular phenotypes. A. Newborn mouse, B-D. Adult mice. A. The left view (anterior of eye) demonstrates intense iris and ciliary body expression. The right view (posterior of eye) shows expression in the retinal pigment epithelium. x 16. B. Adult mouse retina. Expression is only evident in the retinal pigment epithelium (arrow). There is some adherence of stain at the tips of the photoreceptors that have become detached from the pigment epithelium during processing. This likely represents expression in the retinal pigment epithelium. H&E/LacZ x 400. C. Adult iris and ciliary body. Bmp4 is predominantly expressed in the epithelia of the iris (I) and ciliary body (CB). A few iris stromal vessels are stained (arrows), but there is no expression in the trabecular meshwork (bounded by arrowheads), x 400. D. Isolated staining of retinal vessels (arrows). The outer nuclear layer is absent in this mouse that was homozygous for Pde6b^rdl. x 400.