Use of a transgenic mouse model for in vivo monitoring of corneal pathologies following Sulfur Mustard Exposure

Purpose

The dynamic course of sulfur mustard (SM)-induced ocular insult involves an acute phase, which may progress to a chronic phase or a quiescent period, followed by late pathology. Visualizing pathological corneal changes in vivo could enhance understanding of this process and aid treatment development.

Methods

SM burn was induced in the right eyes of three transgenic mouse strains—expressing RFP under the VE-Cadherin promoter (blood vessels and hematopoietic cells), GFP under the keratin 15 promoter (limbal stem cells), and YFP under the Thy-1 promoter (mid-stromal nerve fibers, MSNFs)—by vapor exposure. Cell infiltration, neovascularization (NV), innervation loss, and stem cell (SC) depletion were monitored in vivo by stereomicroscopy for up to 8 weeks. Corneal whole-mounts were used to assess 360° structures, infiltrating cells, and subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) loss. Histology included H&E, Masson-Trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff staining.

Results

A 35-s exposure caused minor ocular insult with moderate SNP changes, corneal cell infiltration, and reversible SC loss, mostly resolving by 4 weeks. A 120-s exposure caused severe insult with NV, extensive MSNF and SNP loss, marked CD45⁺ and Iba1⁺ infiltration, and irreversible SC depletion. NV, stromal inflammation, edema, epithelial changes, and goblet cells were seen in histology and correlated with fluorescence imaging.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the utility of transgenic mice as powerful models for studying SM-induced ocular injury and for developing novel therapeutic strategies.