Contribution of VEGFR-3 to VEGF-A–induced lymphangiogenesis. Corneas were implanted with pellets containing VEGF-A (200 ng). Corneal sections were examined on day 6 after implantation. (A) Double immunostaining of corneal sections with VEGF-C (green) and CD45 (red), CD31 (red), or F4/80 (red). Bar, 50 μm. (B) Double immunostaining of VEGF-A–implanted corneal sections with VEGFR-3 (green) and LYVE-1 (red). Arrowheads indicate VEGFR-3–positive lymphatic endothelium. Bar, 50 μm. (C) Representative Western blot of samples of PBS or VEGF-A–implanted corneas (day 6) with Abs of VEGF-C, VEGFR-2, or β-tubulin. (D) Pellets containing VEGF-A or VEGF-A+sR3 were implanted into the corneas of C57BL/6 mice (day 6). *Pellet implantation site. LYVE-1 (red). (E) Quantitation of the number of lymphatic vessels in VEGF-A–implanted corneas with or without sR3 on day 6 (n = 6-8). *P < .05.