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Topical Decorin Reduces Corneal Inflammation and Imparts Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Benzalkonium Chloride-induced Corneal Neuropathy

PURPOSE: We evaluated the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of topical decorin in a murine model of benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-induced corneal neuropathy. METHODS: Topical BAK (0.1%) was administered daily to both eyes of female C57BL/6J mice (n = 14) for 7 days. One group of mice receiv...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Wu, Mengliang, Downie, Laura E., Hill, Lisa J., Chinnery, Holly R.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9946044/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36809303
http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.64.2.20
Descripción
Sumario:PURPOSE: We evaluated the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of topical decorin in a murine model of benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-induced corneal neuropathy. METHODS: Topical BAK (0.1%) was administered daily to both eyes of female C57BL/6J mice (n = 14) for 7 days. One group of mice received topical decorin (1.07 mg/mL) eye drops to one eye and saline (0.9%) to the contralateral eye; the other group received saline eye drops to both eyes. All eye drops were given three times daily over the experimental period. A control group (n = 8) received daily topical saline only, instead of BAK. Optical coherence tomography imaging was performed before (at day 0) and after (day 7) treatment to evaluate the central corneal thickness. Whole-mount immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the density of corneal intraepithelial nerves and immune cells. RESULTS: BAK-exposed eyes showed corneal epithelial thinning, infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils, and a lower density of intraepithelial nerves. No change to the corneal stromal thickness or dendritic cell density was observed. After BAK exposure, decorin-treated eyes had a lower density of macrophages and less neutrophil infiltration and a higher nerve density than the saline-treated group. Contralateral eyes from the decorin-treated animals showed fewer macrophages and neutrophils relative to saline-treated animals. A negative correlation was found between corneal nerve density and macrophage or neutrophil density. CONCLUSIONS: Topical decorin provides neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in a chemical model of BAK-induced corneal neuropathy. The attenuation of corneal inflammation by decorin may contribute to decreasing corneal nerve degeneration induced by BAK.