Autologous submandibular gland（SMG） transplantation has been proved to ameliorate the discomforts in patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The transplanted glands underwent a hypofunctional period and the...Autologous submandibular gland（SMG） transplantation has been proved to ameliorate the discomforts in patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The transplanted glands underwent a hypofunctional period and then restored secretion spontaneously.This study aims to investigate whether autonomic nerves reinnervate the grafts and contribute to the functional recovery, and further determine the origin of these nerves. Parts of the transplanted SMGs were collected from the epiphora patients, and a rabbit SMG transplantation model was established to fulfill the serial observation on the transplanted glands with time. The results showed that autonomic nerves distributed in the transplanted SMGs and parasympathetic ganglionic cells were observed in the stroma of the glands. Low-dense and unevenly distributed cholinergic axons, severe acinar atrophy and fibrosis were visible in the patients＇ glands 4–6 months post-transplantation, whereas the cholinergic axon density and acinar area were increased with time. The acinar area or the secretory flow rate of the transplanted glands was statistically correlated with the cholinergic axon density in the rabbit model, respectively. Meanwhile, large cholinergic nerve trunks were found to locate in the temporal fascia lower to the gland, and sympathetic plexus concomitant with the arteries was observed both in the adjacent fascia and in the stroma of the glands. In summary, the transplanted SMGs are reinnervated by autonomic nerves and the cholinergic nerves play a role in the morphological and functional restoration of the glands. Moreover, these autonomic nerves might originate from the auriculotemporal nerve and the sympathetic plexus around the supplying arteries.展开更多
In this study, the effect of cyclosporin A （CsA） eye drop on keratoconjunctivitis Sicca （KCS） and its mechanism were studied. The KCS models were established by injecting Pertussis vaccine, complete freund＇s adju...In this study, the effect of cyclosporin A （CsA） eye drop on keratoconjunctivitis Sicca （KCS） and its mechanism were studied. The KCS models were established by injecting Pertussis vaccine, complete freund＇s adjuvant （CFA） and antigen of conjunctiva from isotype mice. Then the KCS models were treated with cyclosporin A eye drop. Changes in breaking-up time （BUT）, lacrimal secretion in 30 min and diversion in 24 h were measured. The percentage of beaker cells, the lymphocytic infiltration in conjunctiva were observed. The expression levels of Aquaporin-3 （AQP3） in conjunctiva epithelial cells, beaker cells and accessory lacrimal gland were immunohistochemically detected. The results showed that there were significant differences in BUT, the percentage of beaker cells, lacrimal secretion in 30 min, the lymphocytic infiltration and the expression of AQP3 between the experimental group and an control group. It was concluded.that CsA eye drop exerts marked therapeutic effect on KCS by inhibiting T lymph cells, increasing the goblet cells and AQP3 expression in conjunctiva.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81671005 and 81470756)
文摘Autologous submandibular gland（SMG） transplantation has been proved to ameliorate the discomforts in patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The transplanted glands underwent a hypofunctional period and then restored secretion spontaneously.This study aims to investigate whether autonomic nerves reinnervate the grafts and contribute to the functional recovery, and further determine the origin of these nerves. Parts of the transplanted SMGs were collected from the epiphora patients, and a rabbit SMG transplantation model was established to fulfill the serial observation on the transplanted glands with time. The results showed that autonomic nerves distributed in the transplanted SMGs and parasympathetic ganglionic cells were observed in the stroma of the glands. Low-dense and unevenly distributed cholinergic axons, severe acinar atrophy and fibrosis were visible in the patients＇ glands 4–6 months post-transplantation, whereas the cholinergic axon density and acinar area were increased with time. The acinar area or the secretory flow rate of the transplanted glands was statistically correlated with the cholinergic axon density in the rabbit model, respectively. Meanwhile, large cholinergic nerve trunks were found to locate in the temporal fascia lower to the gland, and sympathetic plexus concomitant with the arteries was observed both in the adjacent fascia and in the stroma of the glands. In summary, the transplanted SMGs are reinnervated by autonomic nerves and the cholinergic nerves play a role in the morphological and functional restoration of the glands. Moreover, these autonomic nerves might originate from the auriculotemporal nerve and the sympathetic plexus around the supplying arteries.
文摘In this study, the effect of cyclosporin A （CsA） eye drop on keratoconjunctivitis Sicca （KCS） and its mechanism were studied. The KCS models were established by injecting Pertussis vaccine, complete freund＇s adjuvant （CFA） and antigen of conjunctiva from isotype mice. Then the KCS models were treated with cyclosporin A eye drop. Changes in breaking-up time （BUT）, lacrimal secretion in 30 min and diversion in 24 h were measured. The percentage of beaker cells, the lymphocytic infiltration in conjunctiva were observed. The expression levels of Aquaporin-3 （AQP3） in conjunctiva epithelial cells, beaker cells and accessory lacrimal gland were immunohistochemically detected. The results showed that there were significant differences in BUT, the percentage of beaker cells, lacrimal secretion in 30 min, the lymphocytic infiltration and the expression of AQP3 between the experimental group and an control group. It was concluded.that CsA eye drop exerts marked therapeutic effect on KCS by inhibiting T lymph cells, increasing the goblet cells and AQP3 expression in conjunctiva.
