Schrader Stefan, Mircheff Austin K, Geerling Gerd
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Dev Ophthalmol. 2008;41:298-312. doi: 10.1159/000131097.
The causes of dry eye include lacrimal gland insufficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, impairment of the neuronal innervation and environmental stress - all leading to irritation of the ocular surface. Several animal models have been developed to imitate different pathophysiologic mechanisms in the development of dry eye. Understanding the characteristics and limitations of these models will help researchers choose the right models to address specific problems and develop new treatment modalities in dry eye.
Medline searches were performed to identify English language articles relating to different animal models of dry eye. Manual cross-referencing was also performed and some historical articles were included.
A huge variety of animal models exists, mimicking different pathophysiologic mechanisms which can cause dry eye. The mouse is the model most commonly used to study autoimmune mechanisms, because of the diversity of different knockout and transgenic strains and good availability of antibodies. For studying dry eye signs, rabbit or dog models are more suitable, because they present decreased tear secretion and ocular surface changes, have longer lifespans, and offer better accessibility of the ocular surface. For studying special causes of dry eye, such as defects of neuronal reflex loops, environmental changes, or evaporative dry eye, the model of choice should recapitulate the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism.
干眼的病因包括泪腺功能不全、睑板腺功能障碍、神经支配受损及环境应激，所有这些都会导致眼表受到刺激。已经开发了几种动物模型来模拟干眼发展过程中的不同病理生理机制。了解这些模型的特点和局限性将有助于研究人员选择合适的模型来解决特定问题，并开发干眼的新治疗方法。
进行了Medline检索，以识别与不同干眼动物模型相关的英文文章。还进行了手动交叉引用，并纳入了一些历史文章。
存在各种各样的动物模型，它们模拟了可导致干眼的不同病理生理机制。由于不同基因敲除和转基因品系的多样性以及抗体的良好可得性，小鼠是最常用于研究自身免疫机制的模型。对于研究干眼体征，兔或犬模型更合适，因为它们泪液分泌减少且眼表有变化，寿命更长，并且眼表更容易接近。对于研究干眼的特殊原因，如神经反射环缺陷、环境变化或蒸发型干眼，选择的模型应概括潜在的病理生理机制。
