Abstract
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of chondrocyte-derived extracellular matrix (CDECM) on the change of cornea and conjunctiva in dry eye mouse model.
Methods:
This study was conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Animal Experiments approved by Inje University College of Medicine (No.; 2012-053) and the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research. Experimental dry eye was created in 12-to 16-week-old NOD.B10.H2b mice by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine with exposure to an air draft for 10 days. Tear volume and corneal smoothness were measured at 0, 10 days after removal of desiccating stress, and instillation of phosphate buffered saline (PBS group) or CDECM (CDECM group) after the removal of desiccating stress for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. Cornea and conjunctiva were hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-stained sections. Expression of inflammation was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Instillation of CDECM after the removal of desiccating stress, the tear production compared to the desiccating stress decreased to 3.3% (P < 0.05) was increased to 94.9% (P < 0.05) in the 10 days. However, instillation of PBS for 10 days after the removal of desiccating stress, tear production compared to the desiccating stress was increased to 21.1% (P < 0.05). In CDECM group, the corneal smoothness improved at 3-10 days, and increased at conjunctival goblet cells and anti-inflammation effects, and decreased at detach of corneal epithelial cells. In contrast, in PBS group was hardly recovered.
Conclusions:
Instillation of CDECM after the removal of desiccating stress in experimental dry eye model, tear volume, corneal smoothness, conjunctival goblet cells, corneal epithelial cells detach, and anti-inflammation effects recovered within 10, whereas they remained unchanged in PBS group. These observations suggest that CDECM were effectiveness of anti-inflammatory improvement on the cornea and conjunctiva in experimental dry eye model.
Keywords: 486 cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye •
557 inflammation •
474 conjunctiva