Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. E-mail: hbazan1 lsuhsc. A variety of mouse strains and sexes are used in studies of corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. However, there is a gap of knowledge about corneal nerve density and its function in different mouse strains and sexes.
In this study, we report a strain divergence of total and substance P SP sensory corneal nerves in uninjured mice. No differences were found in total nerves and SP-positive nerves between sexes. After injury damaged the corneal nerves, an important role for mouse strains, biologic sex, and their association to corneal nerve regeneration was identified.
All female mice have a faster nerve regeneration rate than males. The molecular mechanism of this sexual divergence involves higher secretion neurotrophic factors in tears, which in turn modulate gene expression in trigeminal ganglion neurons. In conclusion, our study shows that the strain and sex of laboratory mice significantly affect the different indicators of corneal innervation and nerve regeneration. Researchers investigating corneal diseases should carefully consider these factors.
Mouse strains and sexual divergence in corneal innervation and nerve regeneration. Corneal nerves are vital to maintain the homeostasis of the ocular surface and tissue clarity 1 โ 3. Many diseases that affect the cornea can compromise corneal innervation, leading to a decrease in tear production and blink reflex as well as impaired epithelial wound healing 4 โ 6.
Therefore, better knowledge about corneal nerve function and repair will increase therapeutic strategies for pathologies that affect corneal innervation. The use of animal models to study corneal nerves plays an important role in increasing our understanding of nerve damage and repair.
