Purpose The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel dry eye rat model induced by aerosol exposure of particulate matter (PM). Methods A total of 30 female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats divided into 3 groups: the control group, the low-level exposed group, and the high-level exposed group. The rats in the experience groups were directly exposed to PM samples in the exposure chamber over 14 days. The clinical observation, including tear volume, corneal fluorescein staining, breakup time (BUT), inflammation index, corneal irregularity score, and corneal confocal microscopy. Eyeballs were collected on day 14 for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and PAS staining. TUNEL assay, CD45, and Ki67 immunostaining was performed and corneal ultrastructural changes were detected by electron microscopy. IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NF-κB Western blot analysis were used to observe the possible pathogenesis. Results In the PM-treated groups, the number of layers in the corneal epithelium and corneal nerve fiber length were significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. The number of corneal epithelial microvilli and chondriosome/desmosomes were drastically reduced in PM-treated groups. Confocal microscopy and CD45 immunohistochemistry showed inflammatory cell infiltration in the PM-treated groups. PM caused apoptosis of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells while leading to abnormal epithelial cell proliferation, meanwhile, conjunctival goblet cells in the PM-treated group were also significantly reduced. PM significantly increased the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and p-NF-κB-p65 in the cornea. Conclusions Aerosol exposure of PM can reduce the stability of tear film and cause the change of ocular surface, which is similar to the performance of human dry eye, suggesting a novel animal model of dry eye.
The aim of this study was to develop a rat model of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) by forcing eye-open at birth (FEOB).Methods: A total of 200 Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, which received eyelid open surgery on postnatal day 1 (P1). Observation time points were defined as P1, P5, P10, P15, and P30. Slit-lamp microscope and corneal confocal microscope were used to observe the clinical features of the model. The eyeballs were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid--Schiff staining. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, CD68/ polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and cytokeratin 10/12/13 immunostaining were performed, while the ultrastructure of the cornea was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), western blot, and immunohistochemical staining of activin A receptor-like kinase-1/5 were used to analyze the possible pathogenesis.Results: FEOB could successfully induce the typical manifestations of LSCD, including corneal neovascularization, severe inflammation, and corneal opacity. In the FEOB group, goblet cells could be detected in the corneal epithelium by periodic acid-Schiff staining. The expression of cytokeratins was also different between the 2 groups. Furthermore, proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemical staining revealed the weak proliferation and differentiation ability of limbal epithelial stem cells in the FEOB group. Realtime PCRs, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining of activin A receptor-like kinase-1/activin A receptor-like kinase-5 in the FEOB group showed different expression patterns than those of the control group.Conclusions: FEOB in rats induces ocular surface changes resembling LSCD in humans, representing a novel model of LSCD.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.