This study was supported by Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialties (SZGSP014) and Shenzhen Natural Science Foundation (JCYJ20210324125805012).

All animal experiments performed following this protocol are performed under the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
1. Animal preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 12 healthy 6-week-old SPF Wistar female rats weighing 160 g &#177; 20 g.</li>
	<li>Use a slit lamp and ophthalmoscope to examine the eye conditions of all rats, ensuring that there are no anterior segment or retinal diseases.</li>
	<li>Raise all the rats for 1 week with sufficient food and water sources.</li>
	<li>Randomly divided all rats into normal, scopolamine drug concentration 2.5 mg /mL, scopolamine drug concentration 5 mg/mL, and scopolamine drug concentration 7.5 mg/mL groups, with three animals in each group.</li>
</ol>
2. Solution preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare scopolamine hydrobromide by dissolving it in 0.9% sodium chloride solution to make a solution with concentrations of 7.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 2.5 mg/mL.</li>
	<li>Prepare a 0.9% sodium chloride solution without scopolamine hydrobromide to be used as an injection for the control group of rats.</li>
</ol>
3. Equipment and material preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a small animal microscope.</li>
	<li>Prepare materials for the experiment, including 1 mL disposable syringe with needle (26 G); fluorescein sodium ophthalmic strips; Schirmer tear test strip; absolute ethanol; 4% paraformaldehyde; xylene; neutral balsam; hematoxylin, eosin; and periodic acid-Schiff staining kit.</li>
</ol>
4. Subcutaneous injection
NOTE: This procedure requires assistance from a second person to help secure the rats.
<ol>
	<li>Hold the rat&#39;s body steady and catch and stretch its left (or right) hind legs. 
	NOTE: An assistant can help in holding the animal.</li>
	<li>Clean injection site with alcohol.</li>
	<li>Insert 1 mL disposable syringe with needle (26 G) at the base of skin fold between thumb and finger.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the syringe by pulling back the syringe plunger. Any blood in the syringe indicates improper needle placement; remove and reposition the needle.</li>
	<li>Administer 0.9% sodium chloride solution with or without scopolamine hydrobromide in a steady, fluid motion.</li>
	<li>Inject all rats according to different concentrations, with 0.5 mL injected each time and four times daily (at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00) for a consecutive period of 19 days, alternating between left and right limbs. 
	NOTE: The groups are named as follows: 
	Group without scopolamine hydrobromide: 0 group (control) 
	Group with scopolamine hydrobromide 2.5 mg/mL: 2.5 group 
	Group with scopolamine hydrobromide 5 mg/mL: 5 group 
	Group with scopolamine hydrobromide 7.5 mg/mL: 7.5 group</li>
	<li>Return the animal to its cage and monitor breathing and behavior for 5-10 min.</li>
</ol>
5. Tear secretion test (Schirmer tear test, STT)
<ol>
	<li>Create a modified filter paper strip for rats11. Cut half of the filter paper strip used for humans along the centerline (1 mm &#215; 15 mm), and trim the head of the strip to make it smooth. 
	NOTE: Before conducting the tear secretion test, manually restrain the rat&#39;s body to prevent movement and ensure exposure of the rat&#39;s eyes.</li>
	<li>Place the filter paper strip on the outer 1/3 of the lower eyelid conjunctival sac of the rat.</li>
	<li>Time the test for 5 min. Control the closure of the rat&#39;s eyes throughout the procedure.</li>
	<li>After measuring, use tweezers to clamp the filter paper strip into a microcentrifuge tube and record the tear volume by making a mark on the wall of the tube.</li>
	<li>Measure tear secretion on day 0, day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, day 11, day 15, and day 19.</li>
</ol>
6. Corneal fluorescein staining
<ol>
	<li>Drop 0.5 &#181;L of 0.5% fluorescein sodium solution into the inferior conjunctival sac of each rat.</li>
	<li>Observe the cornea under blue light for 3 min after fluorescein instillation.</li>
	<li>Record the fluorescence staining of each rat&#39;s cornea and observe whether there is a corneal defect.</li>
	<li>Perform corneal fluorescein staining on day 0, day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, day 11, day 15, and day 19.</li>
</ol>
7. Histological observation of conjunctival tissue
<ol>
	<li>After completing the model development, anesthetize the rats deeply with an intraperitoneal injection of 0.4 mL/100 g of 10% aqueous chloral hydrate to alleviate the animals&#39; tension. Then, euthanize the rats by cervical dislocation.</li>
	<li>Take the bulbar conjunctiva from the same regions of each rat, with a size of approximately 2 mm x 2 mm.</li>
	<li>Fix the tissues immediately in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 h and embed in paraffin13.</li>
	<li>Cut 5 &#181;m thickness sections and stain with hematoxylin and eosin (HE)14 and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain (follow manufacturer&#39;s instructions).</li>
</ol>
8. Histological observation of corneal and lacrimal gland tissue
<ol>
	<li>After completing the model development, euthanize the rat as described in step 7.1.</li>
	<li>Take the cornea on the right side of each rat and fix it immediately in 4% paraformaldehyde solution.</li>
	<li>Cut the cephalic epidermis and subcutaneous tissue along the line connecting the ear and the outer corner of the eye, expand the incision to both sides and further isolate the yellowish extra orbital gland.</li>
	<li>Thoroughly remove the rat&#39;s fur and separate the extraorbital gland with 0.9% sodium chloride solution.</li>
	<li>Place the isolated extraorbital glands in 4% paraformaldehyde solution for 24 h and embed in paraffin.</li>
	<li>Cut continuous sections of ~5 &#181;m thickness and stain them with HE for corneal and extraorbital gland tissue specimens.</li>
</ol>
9. Statistical analysis
<ol>
	<li>Use appropriate software for statistical analysis of the data.
	<ol>
		<li>Perform one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze the data and the least significant difference (LSD) test for comparison between groups. Set the statistical significance level at &#945; = 0.05, with P &#60; 0.05 indicating statistical significance. 
		NOTE: SPSS 20 software was used for statistical analysis of the experimental data.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

Scopolamine-Induced Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction in Rats

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B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+global+prevalence+of+dry+eye+disease:+A+Bayesian+view.">The global prevalence of dry eye disease: A Bayesian view.</a> Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 41 (6), 1254-1266 (2021).</li><li>Sy, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expert+opinion+in+the+management+of+aqueous+deficient+dry+eye+disease+(DED).">Expert opinion in the management of aqueous deficient dry eye disease (DED).</a> BMC Ophthalmol. 15 (1), 133 (2015).</li><li>Seo, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+HIF-1alpha+(hypoxia+inducible+factor-1alpha)+prevents+dry+eye-induced+acinar+cell+death+in+the+lacrimal+gland.">Activation of HIF-1alpha (hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha) prevents dry eye-induced acinar cell death in the lacrimal gland.</a> Cell Death Dis. 5 (6), 1309 (2014).</li><li>Rahman, M. 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R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hormonal+influence+on+the+secretory+immune+system+of+the+eye:+androgen+regulation+of+secretory+component+levels+in+rat+tears.">Hormonal influence on the secretory immune system of the eye: androgen regulation of secretory component levels in rat tears.</a> J Immunol. 132 (3), 1130-1135 (1984).</li><li>Sullivan, D. A., Allansmith, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hormonal+modulation+of+tear+volume+in+the+rat.">Hormonal modulation of tear volume in the rat.</a> Exp Eye Res. 42 (2), 131-139 (1986).</li><li>Maitchouk, D. Y., Beuerman, R. W., Ohta, T., Stern, M., Varnell, R. 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D., Bozbeyoglu, S., Karabay, G., Akova, Y. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+ocular+surface+changes+in+a+rabbit+dry+eye+model+using+a+modified+impression+cytology+technique.">Evaluation of ocular surface changes in a rabbit dry eye model using a modified impression cytology technique.</a> Curr Eye Res. 32 (4), 301-307 (2007).</li><li>Daull, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficacy+of+a+new+topical+cationic+emulsion+of+cyclosporine+A+on+dry+eye+clinical+signs+in+an+experimental+mouse+model+of+dry+eye.">Efficacy of a new topical cationic emulsion of cyclosporine A on dry eye clinical signs in an experimental mouse model of dry eye.</a> Exp Eye Res. 153, 159-164 (2016).</li><li>Dursun, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+mouse+model+of+keratoconjunctivitis+sicca.">A mouse model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 43 (3), 632-638 (2002).</li><li>Fischer, A. 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The authors have no potential conflicts of interest related to the drugs and materials used in this procedure.

Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) is an important type of dry eye, accounting for about 1/3 of the total dry eye population17, and the main cause of ADDE is lacrimal gland pathological damage and inflammation13. For this type of dry eye, the most common clinical treatment methods are artificial tears to alleviate symptoms or topical application of steroids or cyclosporine18, while there are few treatment options for damage to the lacrimal gland. There...

By 2021, approximately 12% of people are significantly affected by dry eyes1, making it one of the most common chronic eye diseases. Dry eye can be divided into two types: aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) and evaporative dry eye (EDE)2, depending on the different factors that affect the disease. ADDE is further divided into Sj&#246;gren&#39;s syndrome (SS) and non-SS, but the majority of dry eye patients are non-SS patients in clinical3. Chronic dry eye symptoms seriously affect the visual quality of patients. Currently, the conventional treatment of DED involves the application of artificial tears to lubricate the ocular surface and physical therapy of the eyelids. However, dry eye syndrome may not offer a complete cure in many cases. Therefore, studying the pathogenesis of dry eye disease is crucial for the development of new therapies and drugs. Animal models of dry eye syndrome provide a foundation for further research.
There are many ways to construct animal models of dry eye syndrome4, including changing tear secretion levels by altering hormone levels. For example, removing the testes of rats can reduce androgen secretion, increase tear secretion, and decrease the concentration of free secretory component (SC) and IgA in tears5,6. Another method is to indicate autoimmune reactions in the lacrimal gland by removing the eye surface nerves that control the gland. Additionally, directly reducing tear secretion can be achieved by surgically removing the lacrimal gland7. Changing environmental conditions can also accelerate tear evaporation. For example, culturing animals in low humidity and dry ventilation conditions can establish a model of excessive evaporative dry eye8, which can be combined with other methods to increase the severity of dry eye. The main drugs used to induce dry eye experimental models are atropine and scopolamine9. As parasympathetic inhibitors, both can induce pharmacological blockade of cholinergic (muscarinic) receptors in the lacrimal gland and inhibit tear secretion. Compared with dry eyes caused by atropine muscle injection10, scopolamine has a stronger inhibitory effect on secretion glands, a longer duration of drug action, and weaker effects on cardiac, small intestinal, and bronchial smooth muscles. It is one of the most mature drugs for dry-eye animal models.
Different methods can be used to induce dry eye with scopolamine, such as subcutaneous injection, drug pump, or patch application4,11,12. In order to reduce the frequency of drug administration to experimental animals, many researchers apply transdermal patches to the tails of mice or use drug pumps. However, both of these methods have limitations. For example, the absorption of transdermal patches needs to take into account the individual absorption of mice, which can lead to inconsistent drug dosage. Although drug pumps can accurately control the dosage of each administration, they are not always compatible with the drug being delivered or the concentration being used. They also need to be placed surgically &#8211; which is more invasive to the animal, requiring an anesthetic event, and there is potential for post-surgical complications such as dehiscence. Subcutaneous injection, although more cumbersome, can ensure accurate dosage for each administration and maintain consistency in drug administration among different rats. At the same time, it has a lower cost and is suitable for conducting a large number of animal experiments.
This study applies repeated subcutaneous injection of scopolamine to establish a dry eye rat model. We analyze dry eye indicators such as corneal defects, tear secretion levels, and pathological morphology of the cornea, conjunctiva, and lacrimal gland. By combining drug concentration, pathological manifestations, and dry eye symptoms, we further elaborate on the dry eye rat model in detail, providing more accurate experimental data for the study of dry eye treatment and pathological mechanisms. We also describe the modeling process in detail for future researchers.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.9% sodium chloride solution</td>
			<td>SJZ No.4 Pharmaceutical</td>
			<td>H13023201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4% paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Wuhan Servicebio Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>G1113</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Absolute ethanol</td>
			<td>Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>10009218</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescein sodium ophthalmic strips</td>
			<td>Tianjin Yinuoxinkang Medical Device Tech Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>YN-YG-I</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hematoxylin and eosin</td>
			<td>Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute</td>
			<td>D006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neutral balsam</td>
			<td>Beijing Solarbio Science &#38; Technology Co., Ltd.&#160;</td>
			<td>G8590</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraffin</td>
			<td>Beijing Solarbio Science &#38; Technology Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>YA0012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Periodic Acid-Schiff Staining Kit</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology</td>
			<td>C0142S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Schirmer tear test strips</td>
			<td>Tianjin Yinuoxinkang Medical Device Tech Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>YN-LZ-I</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scopolamine hydrobromide</td>
			<td>Shanghai Macklin Biochemical Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>S860151</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small animal microscope</td>
			<td>Head Biotechnology Co,. Ltd</td>
			<td>ZM191</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylene</td>
			<td>Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>10023418</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a rat dry eye model with lacrimal gland dysfunction induced by scopolamine

Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) is a type of dry eye disease that can result in the reduction of tear secretion quantity and quality. Prolonged abnormal tear production can lead to a disturbance in the ocular surface environment, including corneal damage and inflammation. In severe cases, ADDE can cause vision loss or even blindness. Currently, dry eye treatment is limited to eye drops or physical therapy, which can only alleviate eye discomfort symptoms and cannot fundamentally cure dry eye syndrome. To restore the function of the lacrimal gland in dry eye, we have created an animal model of lacrimal gland dysfunction in rats induced by scopolamine. Through the comprehensive evaluation of the lacrimal gland, corneas, conjunctivas, and other factors, we aim to provide a full understanding of the pathological changes of ADDE. Compared with the current dry eye mouse model, this ADDE animal model includes a functional evaluation of the lacrimal gland, providing a better platform for studying lacrimal gland dysfunction in ADDE.

Schirmer I test, SIT I 
The tear volume of the rats was measured on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, and 19 after the start of the experiment. The experimental results showed that the tear secretion of the scopolamine group (2.5 group, 5 group, 7.5 group), compared with the control group (0 group), was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P &#60; 0.01). There was no statistical significance between the 2.5 group, 5 group, and 7.5 group (P &#62; 0.05). There was no signi...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Rat Dry Eye Model with Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction Induced by Scopolamine at JoVE.com

Author Spotlight: Challenges in Developing Dry Eye Animal Models and Future Research Directions

Here, we establish a rat model of lacrimal gland dysfunction to provide a basis for the study of aqueous-deficient dry eye.

A Rat Dry Eye Model with Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction Induced by Scopolamine

Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) is a type of dry eye disease that can result in the reduction of tear secretion quantity and quality. Prolonged abnormal ...

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1.7K Views.  Jinan University. Here, we establish a rat model of lacrimal gland dysfunction to provide a basis for the study of aqueous-deficient dry eye.

Video: Author Spotlight: Challenges in Developing Dry Eye Animal Models and Future Research Directions

Retinal Detachment Model in Rodents by Subretinal Injection of Sodium Hyaluronate

Subretinal injection of sodium hyaluronate is a widely accepted method of inducing retinal detachment (RD). However, the height and duration of RD or the occurrence of subretinal hemorrhage can affect photoreceptor cell death in the detached retina. Hence, it is advantageous to create reproducible RDs without subretinal hemorrhage for evaluating photoreceptor cell death. We modified a previously reported method to create bullous and persistent RDs in a reproducible location with rare occurrence of subretinal hemorrhage. The critical step of this modified method is the creation of a self-sealing scleral incision, which can prevent leakage of sodium hyaluronate after injection into the subretinal space. To make the self-sealing scleral incision, a scleral tunnel is created, followed by scleral penetration into the choroid with a 30 G needle. Although choroidal hemorrhage may occur during this step, astriction with a surgical spear reduces the rate of choroidal hemorrhage. This method allows a more reproducible and reliable model of photoreceptor death in diseases that involve RD such as rhegmatogenous RD, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Creating experimental retinal detachments with a reproducible and sustained height of detachment, and without subretinal hemorrhage, is important for studying the pathophysiology of photoreceptor cell loss in retinal disease and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. Here, we report such a method in detail.

Subretinal injection of sodium hyaluronate is a widely accepted method of inducing retinal detachment (RD). However, the height and duration of RD or the ...

Experimental Glaucoma Induced by Ocular Injection of Magnetic Microspheres

Progress in understanding the pathophysiology, and providing novel treatments for glaucoma is dependent on good animal models of the disease. We present here a protocol for elevating intraocular pressure (IOP) in the rat, by injecting magnetic microspheres into the anterior chamber of the eye. The use of magnetic particles allows the user to manipulate the beads into the iridocorneal angle, thus providing a very effective blockade of fluid outflow from the trabecular meshwork. This leads to long-lasting IOP rises, and eventually neuronal death in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) as well as optic nerve pathology, as seen in patients with the disease. This method is simple to perform, as it does not require machinery, specialist surgical skills, or many hours of practice to perfect. Furthermore, the pressure elevations are very robust, and reinjection of the magnetic microspheres is not usually required unlike in some other models using plastic beads. Additionally, we believe this method is suitable for adaptation for the mouse eye.

We present a method for inducing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), by injecting magnetic microspheres into the rat eye, to model glaucoma. This leads to strong pressure rises, and extensive neuronal death. This protocol is easy to perform, does not require repeat injections, and produces stable long-lasting IOP rises.

Progress in understanding the pathophysiology, and providing novel treatments for glaucoma is dependent on good animal models of the disease. We present ...

Rat Model of Photochemically-Induced Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Posterior Ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) is a sight-devastating disease in clinical practice. However, its pathogenesis and natural history have&#160;remained poorly understood. Recently, we developed a reliable, reproducible animal model of PION and tested the treatment effect of some neurotrophic factors in this model1. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate our photochemically induced model of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and to evaluate its effects with retrograde labeling of retinal ganglion cells. Following surgical exposure of the posterior optic nerve, a photosensitizing dye, erythrosin B, is intravenously injected and a laser beam is focused onto the optic nerve surface. Photochemical interaction of erythrosin B and the laser during irradiation damages the vascular endothelium, prompting microvascular occlusion mediated by platelet thrombosis and edematous compression. The resulting ischemic injury yields a gradual but pronounced retinal ganglion cell dieback, owing to a loss of axonal input - a remote, injury-induced and clinically relevant outcome. Thus, this model provides a novel platform to study the pathophysiologic course of PION,&#160;and can be further optimized for testing therapeutic approaches for optic neuropathies as well as other CNS ischemic diseases.

The goal of this protocol is to photochemically induce ischemic injury to the posterior optic nerve in rat. This model is critical to studies of the pathophysiology of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and therapeutic approaches for this and other optic neuropathies, as well as of other CNS ischemic diseases.

Posterior Ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) is a sight-devastating disease in clinical practice. However, its pathogenesis and natural history ...

Retroductal Submandibular Gland Instillation and Localized Fractionated Irradiation in a Rat Model of Salivary Hypofunction

Normal tissues that lie within the portals of radiation are inadvertently damaged. Salivary glands are often injured during head and neck radiotherapy. Irreparable cell damage results in a chronic loss of salivary function that impairs basic oral activities, and increases the risk of oral infections and dental caries. Salivary hypofunction and its complications gravely impact a patient's comfort. Current symptomatic management of the condition is ineffective, and newer therapies to assuage the condition are needed. 
Salivary glands are exocrine glands, which expel their secretions into the mouth via excretory ducts. Cannulation of these ducts provides direct access to the glands. Retroductal delivery of a contrast agent to major salivary glands is a routine out-patient procedure for diagnostic imaging. Using a similar procedure, localized treatment of the glands is feasible. However, performing this technique in preclinical studies with small animals poses unique challenges. In this study we describe the technique of retroductal administration in rat submandibular glands, a procedure that was refined in Dr. Bruce Baum's laboratory (NIH)1, and lay out a procedure for local gland irradiation.

Salivary gland hypofunction, a major adverse effect of head and neck radiotherapy diminishes a patient's quality of life. The demonstration of efficacy of new therapies in animal models is a prerequisite before clinical transition. This protocol describes retroductal administration and local irradiation of rat submandibular glands.

Normal tissues that lie within the portals of radiation are inadvertently damaged. Salivary glands are often injured during head and neck radiotherapy. ...

Puncture-Induced Iris Neovascularization as a Mouse Model of Rubeosis Iridis

We describe a model of puncture-induced iris neovascularization as a general model for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis. The model is also relevant for targeting neovascular glaucoma, a sight-threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy. This method is based on the induction of iris vascular response by a series of self-sealing uveal punctures on BALB/c mice and takes advantage of the postpartum maturation of mouse ocular vasculature. Mouse pups undergo uveal punctures from postnatal day 12.5, when the pups naturally open their eyes, until postnatal day 24.5. Due to the transparency of the cornea, iris vasculature can be analyzed easily through time by noninvasive in vivo methods. Furthermore, the semitransparent iris of BALB/c mice can be flatmounted for detailed immunohistologic analysis with minimal non-specific background staining. In this model, angiogenesis is mainly driven by the inflammatory and plasminogen activating systems. The puncture-induced model is the first to induce iris neovascularization in small rodents, and has the advantage of allowing direct noninvasive in vivo analysis of the angiogenic process. Moreover, the model can be combined with angiogenic modulating substances, which highlights its potential in the study of angiogenesis with an in vivo perspective.

Iris neovascularization, a common complication of ischemic retinal disease, may lead to sight-threatening neovascular glaucoma. Here, we describe a murine protocol for inducing experimental iris neovascularization that may be used for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis-modulating substances.

We describe a model of puncture-induced iris neovascularization as a general model for noninvasive evaluation of angiogenesis. The model is also relevant ...

Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Dry Eye Owing to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Dry eye disease (DED) is an increasingly common condition and one of the most common complaints of patients. The vast majority of DED is caused by the so-called &#34;evaporative&#34; subtype, that is mainly caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices employ high intensity pulses of polychromatic lights with a broad range of wavelength (515-1200 nm). IPL treatment has been utilized for years in the field of dermatology, and then its use was applied to ophthalmology for the treatment of MGD. Recently, a new device employing IPL was specifically designed for the periocular application. This procedure determines the thermal selective coagulation and ablation of superficial blood vessels and telangiectasias of the eyelids skin, reducing the release of inflammatory mediators and tear cytokines levels, and improving meibomian glands outflow. IPL treatment is noninvasive and easy to perform, lasts for only a few minutes and can be conducted in an office setting. In the present study, 19 patients underwent 3 sessions of IPL treatment. After treatment, both mean noninvasive break-up time and lipid layer thickness grade significantly increased, as a result of an improvement of tear film stability and quality, respectively. Conversely, no statistically significant changes were found for meibomian gland loss and tear osmolarity. Furthermore, the vast majority of the treated patients (17/19; 89.5% of the total) perceived an improvement of their ocular discomfort symptoms after IPL treatment. Although IPL treatment provides an improvement of both ocular surface parameters and ocular discomfort symptoms after one cycle of three sessions, regular repeated treatments are usually required to maintain the persistence over the time of its beneficial effects.

Dry eye disease is an increasingly common condition, which strongly impair patients&#39; life quality. Recently, a new device employing intense pulsed light, specifically designed for the periocular area, has been shown to improve tear film stability and ocular discomfort symptoms in dry eye disease owing to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Dry eye disease (DED) is an increasingly common condition and one of the most common complaints of patients. The vast majority of DED is caused by the ...

A Rabbit Model of Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye Disease Induced by Concanavalin A Injection into the Lacrimal Glands: Application to Drug Efficacy Studies

Dry eye disease (DED), a multifactorial inflammatory disease of the ocular surface, affects 1 in 6 humans worldwide with staggering implications for quality of life and health care costs. The lack of informative animal models that recapitulate its key features impedes the search for new therapeutic agents for DED. Available DED animal models have limited reproducibility and efficacy. A model is presented here in which DED is induced by injecting the mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) into the orbital lacrimal glands of rabbits. Innovative aspects of this model are the use of ultrasound (US) guidance to ensure optimal and reproducible injection of Con A into the inferior lacrimal gland; injection of Con A into all orbital lacrimal glands that limits compensatory production of tears; and use of periodic repeat injections of Con A that prolong the state of DED at will. DED and its response to test agents are monitored with a panel of parameters that assess tear production, the stability of the tear film, and the status of the corneal and conjunctival mucosa. They include tear osmolarity, tear break-up time, Schirmer&#39;s tear test, rose bengal staining, and tear lactoferrin levels. The induction of DED and the monitoring of its parameters are described in detail. This model is simple, robust, reproducible, and informative. This animal model is suitable for the study of tear physiology and of the pathophysiology of DED as well as for the assessment of the efficacy and safety of candidate agents for the treatment of DED.

This article describes the development of a method to induce acute or chronic dry eye disease in rabbits by injecting concanavalin A to all portions of the orbital lacrimal gland system. This method, superior to those already reported, generates a reproducible, stable model of dry eye suitable for the study of pharmacological agents.

Dry eye disease (DED), a multifactorial inflammatory disease of the ocular surface, affects 1 in 6 humans worldwide with staggering implications for ...

Establishment of a Severe Dry Eye Model Using Complete Dacryoadenectomy in Rabbits

Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex disease with multiple etiologies and variable symptoms, having ocular surface inflammation as its key pathophysiologic step. Despite advances in our understanding of DED, significant knowledge gaps remain. Advances are limited in part due to the lack of informative animal models. The authors recently reported on a method of DED induced by injecting all orbital lacrimal gland (LG) tissues with the lectin concanavalin A. Here, we report a novel model of aqueous-deficient DED based on the surgical resection of all orbital LG (dacryoadenectomy) tissues. Both methods use rabbits because of their similarity to human eyes in terms of the size and structure of the ocular surface. One week after removal of the nictitating membrane, the orbital superior LG was surgically removed under anesthesia, followed by removal of the palpebral superior LG, and finally removal of the inferior LG. Dacryoadenectomy induced severe DED, evidenced by a marked reduction in the tear break up time test and the Schirmer&#39;s tear test, and significantly increased tear osmolarity and rose bengal staining. Dacryoadenectomy-induced DED lasted at least eight weeks. There were no complications and animals tolerated the procedure well. The technique can be mastered relatively easily by those with adequate surgical experience and appreciation of the relevant rabbit anatomy. Since this model recapitulates the features of human aqueous-deficient DED, it is suitable for studies of ocular surface homeostasis, DED, and candidate therapeutics.

A novel approach is presented to induce chronic dry eye disease in rabbits by surgically removing all orbital lacrimal glands. This method, distinct from those previously reported, produces a stable, reproducible model of aqueous deficient dry eye well suited to study tear physiology and pathophysiology and ocular therapeutics.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex disease with multiple etiologies and variable symptoms, having ocular surface inflammation as its key pathophysiologic ...

A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure

In response to an injury, such as myocardial infarction, prolonged hypertension or a cardiotoxic agent, the heart initially adapts through the activation of signal transduction pathways, to counteract, in the short-term, for the cardiac myocyte loss and or the increase in wall stress. However, prolonged activation of these pathways becomes detrimental leading to the initiation and propagation of cardiac remodeling leading to changes in left ventricular geometry and increases in left ventricular volumes; a phenotype seen in patients with systolic heart failure (HF). Here, we describe the creation of a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction (MOD) by ascending aortic banding (AAB) via a vascular clip with an internal area of 2 mm2. The surgery is performed in 200 g Sprague-Dawley rats. The MOD HF phenotype develops at 8-12 weeks after AAB and is characterized noninvasively by means of echocardiography. Previous work suggests the activation of signal transduction pathways and altered gene expression and post-translational modification of proteins in the MOD HF phenotype that mimic those seen in human systolic HF; therefore, making the MOD HF phenotype a suitable model for translational research to identify and test potential therapeutic anti-remodeling targets in HF. The advantages of the MOD HF phenotype compared to the overt systolic HF phenotype is that it allows for the identification of molecular targets involved in the early remodeling process and the early application of therapeutic interventions. The limitation of the MOD HF phenotype is that it may not mimic the spectrum of diseases leading to systolic HF in human. Moreover, it is a challenging phenotype to create, as the AAB surgery is associated with high mortality and failure rates with only 20% of operated rats developing the desired HF phenotype.

We describe the creation of a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction where signal transduction pathways involved in the initiation of the remodeling process are activated. This animal model will aid in identifying molecular targets for applying early therapeutic anti-remodeling strategies for heart failure.

In response to an injury, such as myocardial infarction, prolonged hypertension or a cardiotoxic agent, the heart initially adapts through the activation ...

Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model for Ischemic Retinal Diseases in Rodents

One of the commonly used models for ischemic retinopathies is the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Here we describe detailed protocols for the OIR model induction and its readouts in both mice and rats. Retinal neovascularization is induced in OIR by exposing rodent pups either to hyperoxia (mice) or alternating levels of hyperoxia and hypoxia (rats). The primary readouts of these models are the size of neovascular (NV) and avascular (AVA) areas in the retina. This preclinical in vivo model can be used to evaluate the efficacy of potential anti-angiogenic drugs or to address the role of specific genes in the retinal angiogenesis by using genetically manipulated animals. The model has some strain and vendor specific variation in the OIR induction which should be taken into consideration when designing the experiments.

Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) can be used to model ischemic retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and proliferative diabetic retinopathy and to serve as a model for proof-of-concept studies in evaluating antiangiogenic drugs for neovascular diseases. OIR induces robust and reproducible neovascularization in the retina that can be quantified.

One of the commonly used models for ischemic retinopathies is the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Here we describe detailed protocols for the OIR ...