A Method to Induce Ocular Surface Inflammation in a Murine Model

To perform intraperitoneal injection of the immunogen solution, hold the 7 to 9-weeks-old C57 Black 6 non-anesthetized female mouse softly by the tail while grasping the cage grid. Then, firmly hold the skin at the back and the neck region between the thumb and index finger and fix the tail and lower limbs between the ring and little finger against the palm. Keeping the mouse fixed with its head downward, inject 100 microliters of the prepared immunogen solution in the right or left quadrant of the lower abdominal cavity.

To perform an ocular surface challenge after immunization, apply 5 microliters of ovalbumin, or ova, or saline per eye of an anesthetized mouse, and wait for 5 minutes to get the drop absorbed by the eye. Next, collect the ocular exudates by applying 50 microliters of sterile saline to the eye immediately after the challenge.