Corneal abnormalities in the NC/Nga mouse: an atopic dermatitis model.
OBJECTIVE
To study corneal abnormalities in the NC/Nga mouse, which is an animal model of atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
To study histopathologic changes of the eyelid, conjunctiva, and cornea, we extracted the eyeballs together with upper and lower eyelids and fixed them for examination by light and electron microscopy or snap-froze them for immunohistochemistry. Transferase mediated-dUTP digoxigenin nick-end labeling staining was performed to detect apoptotic cells. In order to assess eye scratching behavior and the effect of tacroliums hydrate ointment, we made video recordings.


RESULTS
Mice kept in a conventional room suffered from various grades of blepharoconjunctivitis and scratched their eyes furiously. Tacrolimus hydrate ointment reduced their eye-scratching behavior. Histopathologic study of the eyelid and conjunctiva showed that this blepharoconjunctivitis was caused by allergic inflammation. Mice with severe blepharoconjunctivitis showed thinning of the corneal epithelium, an irregular interface between the epithelium and stroma, subepithelial deposition of materials, and neovascularization of the stroma. Their corneas were cone shaped. Many transferase mediated-dUTP digoxigenin nick-end labeling-positive cells were recognized among superficial epithelial cells and keratocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
NC/Nga mice are a useful animal model of atopic blepharoconjunctivitis. Various corneal disorders in these mice may depend on their eye-scratching behavior.
Ebihara
Nobuyuki
N
Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. ebihara@med.juntendo.ac.jp
Funaki
Toshinari
T
Matsuda
Hiroshi
H
Okumura
Ko
K
Murakami
Akira
A
Ra
Chisei
C
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009824:Ointments; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D016559:Tacrolimus