Lacrimal Gland Denervation Alters Tear Protein Composition and Impairs Ipsilateral Eye Closures and Corneal Nociception.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To evaluate spontaneous and evoked ocular sensory responses in rats after denervation of the lacrimal gland, as well as protein changes in tears that may mediate functional changes.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats served as subjects. The left lacrimal gland was partially denervated with saporin toxin conjugated to p75. Unilateral and bilateral eye closures (winks and blinks) and grooming behaviors were measured weekly. Nociceptive responses were evoked by ocular application of menthol; tear production was assessed using the phenol thread test. Relative changes in tear protein abundances were measured using a Tandem Mass Tagging approach.

Results

Denervation of the lacrimal gland reduced eye closure behavior, particularly in the ipsilateral eye, and eye wipe respon

SUBMITTER: Hegarty DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6203219 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature