Experiment
Linkage analysis was performed on 34 BXD (B=C57BL/6J, D=DBA/2J) recombinant inbred (RI) strains to identify QTLs associated with growth factor induced angiogenesis. Corneas of BXD mice were implanted with FGF2 or VEGF slow release pellets and examined for neovascular formation. The mean vessel length of parental strain C57BL/6J is 0.47mm and the mean vessel length of parental strain DBA/2J is 0.61mm. (C57BL/6J x DBA/2J)F1 hybrids have a mean vessel length of 0.57mm. Significant linkage to FGF2-induced angiogenesis mapped to mouse Chromosomes 4, 13, 15, and 18. These loci were named Angfq1, Angfq2, Angfq3, and Angfq4, respectively.
Angfq1 mapped to 7.5 cM on mouse Chromosome 4 near D4Mit193. Potential candidate genes mapping near Angfq1 are Mmp16, Epha7,Map3k7, and Tpm2. Several previously identified QTLs map near Angfq1. These are Bgeq3, Bglq4, Bwq1, Lgth3, Wta1, Stheal3, Pas9, Sluc18, Mmtg1, Cdkn2a, and Pcyts2.
Angfq2 mapped to 12 cM on mouse Chromosome 13 near Hist1h3f. Potential candidate genes for Angfq2 are Hist1h3f, the serpin gene cluster at 12 cM - 13 cM, and the prolactin gene cluster at 13 cM. Angfq2 maps near previously identified QTLs Bglq10, Bw10, and Heal2.
Angfq3 mapped to 29.7 cM on mouse Chromosome 15 near D15Mit232. Potential candidate genes for Angfq3 are Sema5a, Fzd6, Tnfrsf11b, Agpt, Enpp2, Has2, and Myc. Angfq3 maps near previously identified QTLs Bwtq6, Egrd2, Lwq5, Fob3, Apmt1, Gct3, and Sluc25.
Angfq4 mapped to 50 cM on mouse Chromosome 18 near D18Mit80. Potential candidate genes for Angfq4 are Lipg, Atp5a1, and Pstpip2. Angfq4 maps near previously identified QTLs Sluc28 and Pas7.
Analysis Tools