biostudies-literatureUnknown64(2)Wu M<h4>Purpose</h4>We evaluated the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of topical decorin in a murine model of benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-induced corneal neuropathy.<h4>Methods</h4>Topical BAK (0.1%) was administered daily to both eyes of female C57BL/6J mice (n = 14) for 7 days. One group of mice received topical decorin (1.07 mg/mL) eye drops to one eye and saline (0.9%) to the contralateral eye; the other group received saline eye drops to both eyes. All eye drops were given three times daily over the experimental period. A control group (n = 8) received daily topical saline only, instead of BAK. Optical coherence tomography imaging was performed before (at day 0) and after (day 7) treatment to evaluate the central corneal thickness. Whole-mount immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the density of corneal intraepithelial nerves and immune cells.<h4>Results</h4>BAK-exposed eyes showed corneal epithelial thinning, infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils, and a lower density of intraepithelial nerves. No change to the corneal stromal thickness or dendritic cell density was observed. After BAK exposure, decorin-treated eyes had a lower density of macrophages and less neutrophil infiltration and a higher nerve density than the saline-treated group. Contralateral eyes from the decorin-treated animals showed fewer macrophages and neutrophils relative to saline-treated animals. A negative correlation was found between corneal nerve density and macrophage or neutrophil density.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Topical decorin provides neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in a chemical model of BAK-induced corneal neuropathy. The attenuation of corneal inflammation by decorin may contribute to decreasing corneal nerve degeneration induced by BAK.Investigative ophthalmology & visual science20https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9946044biostudies-literatureTopical Decorin Reduces Corneal Inflammation and Imparts Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Benzalkonium Chloride-induced Corneal Neuropathy.PMC9946044Wu MChinnery HRDownie LEHill LJfalseTopical Decorin Reduces Corneal Inflammation and Imparts Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Benzalkonium Chloride-induced Corneal Neuropathy.<h4>Purpose</h4>We evaluated the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of topical decorin in a murine model of benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-induced corneal neuropathy.<h4>Methods</h4>Topical BAK (0.1%) was administered daily to both eyes of female C57BL/6J mice (n = 14) for 7 days. One group of mice received topical decorin (1.07 mg/mL) eye drops to one eye and saline (0.9%) to the contralateral eye; the other group received saline eye drops to both eyes. All eye drops were given three times daily over the experimental period. A control group (n = 8) received daily topical saline only, instead of BAK. Optical coherence tomography imaging was performed before (at day 0) and after (day 7) treatment to evaluate the central corneal thickness. Whole-mount immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the density of corneal intraepithelial nerves and immune cells.<h4>Results</h4>BAK-exposed eyes showed corneal epithelial thinning, infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils, and a lower density of intraepithelial nerves. No change to the corneal stromal thickness or dendritic cell density was observed. After BAK exposure, decorin-treated eyes had a lower density of macrophages and less neutrophil infiltration and a higher nerve density than the saline-treated group. Contralateral eyes from the decorin-treated animals showed fewer macrophages and neutrophils relative to saline-treated animals. A negative correlation was found between corneal nerve density and macrophage or neutrophil density.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Topical decorin provides neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in a chemical model of BAK-induced corneal neuropathy. The attenuation of corneal inflammation by decorin may contribute to decreasing corneal nerve degeneration induced by BAK.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-04T22:39:01.346Z2025-04-04T22:39:01.346ZS-EPMC99460443680930310.1167/iovs.64.2.20