Effects of subconjunctival administration of anti-high mobility group box 1 on dry eye in a mouse model of Sjӧgren’s syndrome

PURPOSE: Extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) acts as a damage associated molecular pattern molecule through the Toll-like receptor to promote autoreactive B cell activation, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of Sjӧgren’s syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subconjunctival administration of anti-HMGB1 on dry eye in a mouse model of Sjӧgren’s syndrome. METHODS: Ten weeks-old NOD.B10.H2(b) mice were subconjunctivally injected with 0.02 to 2 μg of anti-HMGB1 antibodies or PBS twice a week for two consecutive weeks. Tear volume and corneal staining scores were measured and compared between before- and after-treatment. Goblet cell density was counted in PAS stained forniceal conjunctiva and inflammatory foci score (>50 cells/focus) was measured in extraorbital glands. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the changes in BrdU(+) cells, IL-17-, IL-10-, or IFNγ-secreting cells, functional B cells, and IL-22 secreting innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) in cervical lymph nodes. The level of IL-22 in intraorbital glands was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Injection of 2 μg or 0.02 μg anti-HMGB1 attenuated corneal epithelial erosions and increased tear secretion (p<0.05). Goblet cell density was increased in 0.2 μg and 2 μg anti-HMGB1-treated-mice with marginal significance. The inflammatory foci score, and the number of BrdU(+) cells, IL-17-, IL-10-, IFNγ-secreting cells, and functional B cells did not significantly change following anti-HMGB1 treatment. Surprisingly, the percentage of ILC3s was significantly increased in the draining lymph nodes (p<0.05), and the expression of IL-22 was significantly increased in the intraorbital glands (p<0.05) after administration of 2 μg anti-HMGB1. CONCLUSION: This study shows that subconjunctival administration of anti-HMGB1 attenuates clinical manifestations of dry eye. The improvement of dry eye may involve an increase of ILC3s, rather than modulation of B or plasma cells, as shown using a mouse model of Sjӧgren’s syndrome.