Alterations in corneal biomechanics underlie early stages of autoimmune-mediated dry eye disease.

Alterations in corneal biomechanics underlie early stages of autoimmune-mediated dry eye disease. J Autoimmun. 2020 Jun 18;:102500 Authors: Efraim Y, Chen FYT, Stashko C, Cheong KN, Gaylord E, McNamara N, Knox SM Abstract Autoimmune-mediated dry eye disease is a pathological feature of multiple disorders including Sjögren's syndrome, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that has a life-long, detrimental impact on vision and overall quality of life. Although late stage disease outcomes such as epithelial barrier dysfunction, reduced corneal innervation and chronic inflammation have been well characterized in both human patients and mouse models, there is little to no understanding of early pathological processes. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the loss of cornea homeostasis and disease progression are unknown. Here, we utilize the autoimmune regulatory (Aire)-deficient mouse model of autoimmune-mediated dry eye disease in combination with genome wide transcriptomics, high-resolution imaging and atomic force microscopy to reveal a potential extracellular matrix (ECM)-biomechanical-based mechanism driving cellular and morphological changes at early disease onset. Early disease in the Aire-deficient mouse model is associated with a mild reduction in tear production and moderate immune cell infiltration, allowing for interrogation of cellular, molecular and biomechanical changes largely independent of chronic inflammation. Using these too...
Source: Journal of Autoimmunity - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: J Autoimmun Source Type: research