Lacrimal gland homeostasis is maintained by the <i>AQP5</i> pathway by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress inflammation in the lacrimal gland of <i>AQP5</i> knockout mice.
Shaohua Hu, Guohu Di, Xin Cao, Yaning Liu, Yihui Wang, Hui Zhao, Dianqiang Wang, Peng Chen
Abstract
Purpose: mice spontaneously exhibit dry eye symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated inflammation generated by a deficiency of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in the lacrimal gland. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Oil Red O staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis were performed to identify structural changes in lacrimal gland epithelial cells because of AQP5 deficiency. Corneal epithelial defects were assessed with sodium fluorescein staining. The expression profiles of mRNA and proteins were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Mice in the quercetin group were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg of quercetin, and the control group was injected with an equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 4 weeks. Results: mice. Quercetin partially reversed ER stress levels, inflammation, and lipid accumulation, and it inhibited tear secretion. Conclusions: mice by regulating the ER stress levels.