Increased activity of lacrimal gland mast cells are associated with corneal epitheliopathy in aged mice.

ABSTRACT: The lacrimal gland undergoes significant structural and functional deterioration with aging. Marked with increased inflammation and fibrosis, the aged lacrimal gland is unable to perform its protective function. As a result, the ocular surface becomes highly susceptible to various ocular surface pathologies, including corneal epitheliopathy. We and others have previously shown that mast cells mediate tissue inflammation by recruiting other immune cells. However, despite their well-known characteristics of secreting various inflammatory mediators, whether mast cells contribute to the immune cell aggregation and activation, and acinar dystrophy of the aged lacrimal gland has not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate the role of mast cells in age-related lacrimal gland pathophysiology using

SUBMITTER: Elbasiony E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9971332 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature