Abstract
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common symptom of tear film instability and ocular surface damage due to an abnormal quality and quantity of tears, including the sensation of foreign objects and blurred vision. Among all factors for tear film stability, MUC5AC and MUC19 are very important; the levels of both mucins are associated with the pathogenesis of DES. The aim of this study was to explore the expression of MUC5AC and MUC19 on the ocular surface in a DES model of ovariectomized female rabbits. Healthy female New Zealand white rabbits (n = 18; age: 1 year, weight: 2.5 ±0.6 kg) were randomly assigned to a test group and a control group. The DES model was constructed in ovariectomized female rabbits. Indicators of ocular surface injury, such as Schirmer's test, corneal fluorescence staining, a conjunctival imprinting cytology test, and the expression of MUC5AC and MUC19 in conjunctival tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in week 1, week 2 and week 4. Both the length of soaked test paper and the total scores of corneal fluorescence staining at all time-points were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and they decreased over time (p < 0.05). The grades of imprinted cells at all time-points were significantly higher in the test group than in the control group, and they increased over time (p < 0.05). The percentage of goblet cells was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and it decreased over time (p < 0.05). The percentages of cells with a positive expression of MUC5AC and MUC19 at all time-points were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and they decreased over time (p < 0.05). The pathogenesis of DES is associated with an increased grade of imprinted cells, decreased goblet cells, and a decreased expression of MUC5AC and MUC19.
Highlights
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common symptom of tear film instability and ocular surface damage due to an abnormal quality and quantity of tears, including the sensation of foreign objects and blurred vision
The percentage of goblet cells was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and it decreased over time (p < 0.05)
The percentages of cells with a positive expression of MUC5AC and MUC19 at all time-points were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and they decreased over time (p < 0.05)
Summary
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common symptom of tear film instability and ocular surface damage due to an abnormal quality and quantity of tears, including the sensation of foreign objects and blurred vision. It was reported that increased tear osmotic pressure and inflammation were the pathological changes in the progress of DES, and tear film instability was the key factor in the pathological damage of DES and that mucin was one of the necessary active components in tear film.[11] A change in the quantity and structure of mucin was the intermediate process and one of the results of DES pathogenesis.[12] Among all factors for tear film stability, MUC5AC and MUC19 were very important: the levels of both mucins were associated with the pathogenesis of DES.[13,14] this study aimed to analyze the effect of the expression of MUC5AC and MUC19 on the ocular surface in DES patients, and to provide targets for clinical treatment. Among all factors for tear film stability, MUC5AC and MUC19 are very important; the levels of both mucins are associated with the pathogenesis of DES
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
