title: Effects of topical human amniotic fluid and human serum in a mouse model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of topical human amniotic fluid (HAF), topical human serum (HS), and topical artificial tears in a mouse model of dry eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 treatment groups: HAF, HS, and preservative-free artificial tears. Dry eye was induced by an injection of botulinum toxin B (BTX-B) into the lacrimal gland. Tear production and ocular surface fluorescein staining were evaluated in each mouse at 6 time points during a 4-week period. Goblet cell density was assessed in stained histological sections. Apoptotic keratocytes were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling test assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant decrease in tear production was observed 3 days after BTX-B injection in all groups. At week 1, the HAF and HS groups had improved tear production compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). HAF had a significantly improved fluorescein staining score compared with the HS (P = 0.043) and control (P = 0.007) groups at week 2. Goblet cell density was significantly decreased in the control group compared with the HAF and HS groups (P < 0.001). No difference in the amount of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive keratocytes was observed among the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAF was superior to HS and artificial tears for improving corneal staining within 2 weeks of therapy in this induced mouse model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Clinical studies are needed to ascertain the benefits of these therapies in patients with ocular surface disorders associated with dry eye.
authors.affiliation: Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287-0005, USA.
authors.forename: Guilherme G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Quinto
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castro-Combs
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Suy Anne R
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Priscila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Behrens
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D002452:Cell Count; D060527:Corneal Keratocytes / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D044967:Serum / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; C096323:rimabotulinumtoxinB; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A