Age-Dependent Distinct Distributions of Dendritic Cells in Autoimmune Dry Eye Murine Model

We investigated whether aging-dependent changes in dendritic cell (DC) distributions are distinct in autoimmune dry eye compared with an aging-related murine model. Corneal staining and tear secretion were evaluated in young and aged C57BL/6 (B6) and NOD.B10.H2b mice (NOD). In the corneolimbus, lacrimal gland (LG), and mesenteric lymph node (MLN), CD11b^- and CD11b⁺ DCs, CD103⁺ DCs and MHC-II^hi B cells were compared between young and aged B6 and NOD mice. With increased corneal staining, tear secretion decreased in both aged B6 and NOD mice (p < 0.001). In both aged B6 and NOD mice, the percentages of corneolimbal CD11b⁺ DCs were higher (p < 0.05) than those in young mice. While, the percentages of lymph nodal CD103⁺ DCs were higher in aged B6 and NOD mice (p < 0.05), the percentages of corneolimbal CD103⁺ DCs were only higher in aged NOD mice (p < 0.05). In aged NOD mice, the proportions of lacrimal glandial and lymph nodal MHC-II^hi B cells were also higher than those in young mice (p < 0.05). It indicates that corneolimbal or lacrimal glandial distribution of CD103⁺ DCs or MHC-II^hi B cells may be distinct in aged autoimmune dry eye models compared to those in aged immune competent murine models.