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Updated: Jun 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Decoding Corneal Neovascularization with Alkali Burn Model for Future Therapeutic Strategies
Published on: June 30, 2023
Alkali burn injury model of meibomian gland dysfunction in mice
Yong Li1,2, Ya-Qiong Yang1,3, Yong Lin4
1Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 3611002, Fujian Province, China.
Aim:
To establish a stable, short-time, low-cost and reliable murine model of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
Methods:
A filter paper sheet soaked in 1.0 mol/L sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution was used to touch the eyelid margin of C57BL/6J mice for 10s to establish the model. The other eye was left untreated as a control group. Eyelid margin morphological changes and the meibomian glands (MGs) were observed by slit lamp microscopy on days 5 and 10 post-burn. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Oil red O staining were adopted in detecting the changes in MGs morphology and lipid deposition. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-18, tumor necroses factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4), 3-nitroturosine (3-NT), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and cytokeratin 10 (K10) expression changes in MGs.
Results:
MGs showed plugging of orifice, glandular deficiency, abnormal acinar morphology, ductal dilatation, and lipid deposition after alkali burn. The expressions of IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress in MGs tissues were significantly increased. Abnormal keratinization increased in the MG duct.
Conclusion:
A murine model of MGD is established by alkali burn of the eyelid margin that matches the clinical presentation of MGD providing a stable, short-time, low-cost, and reliable MGD model. The new method suggests efficient avenues for future research.
