Abstract
Purpose:
To observe the regeneration and proliferation potential of adult mouse lacrimal gland (LG) following duct-ligation (DL) procedure and duct-ligation-release (DLR) procedure.
Methods:
Adult mice were divided into two groups. One group was subjected to the DL of the right LG, and glands were collected at day 0, 3, 7 and 14 after DL (n=3-5, at each time point). Another group was subjected to the DLR for 7 days and the ligation was released at day 7 of the right LG. Then the glands were collected at day 9, 12, 14 and 17 after the ligation was released. Tear production and the gland weight were measured during the duct ligation / release (DL/R) procedure. Tissues were investigated by Hematein & Eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Tear secretion of DL and DLR group at day 3, 7, 9, 12 and 14, has significantly decreased compared with control (p<0.01, at each time point). After DL/R the LG went through atrophy and the weight of LG DL group at day 14, has significantly decreased compared with control (p<0.01). And DLR group at day 9, 10 and day 14 has significantly decreased compared with control (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The H&E staining showed the regular acinar unit structures could not be observed, and the lumen of ducts were expanded accompanied with the duct unit increased in the later stage of DL/R. The immunohistochemistry of CD45 (a marker of common lymphocyte) positive cells were increased after DL/R and the immunohistochemistry of nestin (a marker of neuron stem cell) showed the nestin-positive cells in both two groups.
Conclusions:
Adult mouse LG has a strong regeneration potency after atrophy as a result of inflammation.
Keywords: 576 lacrimal gland •
486 cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye •
721 stem cells