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Published on: June 7, 2017
Depression induces ocular surface inflammation and dry eye-like changes in mice
Xiang Lin1, Yu-Wen Liu2, Jia-Ni Li2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University; Eye Institute of Xiamen University; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science; Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China.
Restraint stress in mice induced depression-like behavior, leading to dry eye disease. This stress caused ocular surface inflammation, corneal barrier disruption, and epithelial apoptosis, suggesting depression
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Depression is a prevalent mental health condition.
- Ocular surface homeostasis is crucial for maintaining eye health.
- The link between depression and dry eye disease is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of depression-like behavior on ocular surface homeostasis in a mouse model.
- To identify dry eye-like alterations induced by stress-related depression.
Main Methods:
- Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to restraint stress (RS) to induce depressive-like behavior.
- Evaluated ocular surface changes through corneal staining and tear secretion tests.
- Assessed inflammatory and apoptotic markers in ocular tissues postmortem.
Main Results:
- RS induced depression-like behavior and significant ocular surface changes.
- Increased corneal permeability and inflammatory markers (IL-17, MMP-3, MMP-9) were observed.
- Reduced goblet cell density and increased epithelial apoptosis were noted.
Conclusions:
- Repeated restraint stress causes ocular surface inflammation and dry eye-like pathology.
- Findings suggest depression contributes to dry eye pathogenesis via immune-mediated mechanisms.
- Corneal barrier disruption, goblet cell loss, and apoptosis are key features.
