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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

Summary

This article describes a new animal model developed to study the anatomy and histology of the cornea and its healing processes. This new animal model uses the Mongolian gerbil, which has a cornea with many similarities to the human cornea.

Abstract

Corneal wound healing studies have been conducted for a long time and have helped to reduce suffering and develop treatments that contribute to improving patients' eye health. Historically, corneal healing has been studied in rodents such as mice and rats, but these models might not completely mimic human disorders. However, information on other rodents such as Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) is scant in corneal research.

Here, we describe a technique to develop a novel animal model for studying corneal healing after photorefractive keratectomy. Due to the limited literature available on the cornea of M. unguiculatus, we also describe a histological analysis of the normal cornea. These research techniques can also be employed in the study of eye diseases because of the similarity between the corneas of Mongolian gerbils and humans in terms of genetics, anatomy, and physiology.

Introduction

Some of the most important aspects of corneal wound healing, which are key concerns for anterior segment surgery, are the integrity of the epithelial architecture, the maintenance of the corneal stroma transparency, and, finally, the outcome in terms of the refractive properties of the cornea1.

The cornea is the outermost clear tissue at the front of the eyeball and is, therefore, susceptible to trauma, infections, and burns; the impaired healing of these wounds can compromise visual health2.

At present, several animal models are available to study corneal healing, ....

Protocol

All research procedures were approved by the "Institutional Commission for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" of Universidad Católica de Córdoba and followed the National Research Council Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals. These procedures were also approved by the authorities of the "Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud" of Universidad Católica de Córdoba and "Instituto de la Visión Cerro".

1. Gerbil handling and anesthesi.......

Representative Results

In the present study, the entire corneal structure was thoroughly analyzed using histological techniques and complementary studies of the anterior segment, such as optical coherence tomography. The image analysis using optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment structures shows a normal epithelium and stroma (Figure 1), with central and peripheral corneal thicknesses of 160 µm and 106 µm ± 2 µm, respectively. Other publications have also shown that the cornea of.......

Discussion

The physiology of corneal wound healing is a balance between tissue regeneration and the maintenance of homeostasis. Excessive wound healing may lead to fibrosis and scarring, which ultimately may result in the loss of organ function. With the rapid evolution of corneal surgical procedures, the importance of understanding corneal wound healing and the physiological and pathological events involved cannot be overestimated11.

Multiple research works claim that gerbils ha.......

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank engineer Rodrigo de la Fuente for his invaluable help and technical support. We also thank María Eugenia Corbela for the narration and Priscilla Hazrún for the edition of the figures. Hugo Luján allowed us to use the facilities at the Center for Research and Development in Immunology and Infectious Diseases (CIDIE).

....

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
AnesthesiaTododrogas
Eppendorf tubesTododrogas
Excimer LaserTechnolas2022445
FluoresceinPoen
ForcepsOfcor3339
FormaldehydeTododrogas
GlovesTododrogas
Ketamine Sigma-Aldrich
Optical coherence tomographyOptovue659007
ProparacainePoen
ScisorsOfcor3336
Sterile drapesSoporte hospitalario
Sterile gauzesSoporte hospitalario
Syringes and needlesTododrogas
Xylazine Sigma-Aldrich 

References

  1. Kuo, I. C. Corneal wound healing. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 15 (4), 311-315 (2004).
  2. Agrawal, V. B., Tsai, R. J. Corneal epithelial wound healing. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 51 (1), 5-15 (2003).
  3. Lu, L., Reinach, P. S., Kao, W. W. ....

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Mongolian GerbilsAnimal ModelWound HealingCorneal HealingPhotorefractive KeratectomyTransepithelial PRKHistopathological DebridementAnatomically Larger EyeAnesthesiaOptical Coherence TomographySterile Surgical Drapes

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