Comprehensive Modeling of Corneal Alkali Injury in the Rat Eye

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize the molecular, clinical, and histopathological profiles in the rat cornea after alkali injury over a 21-day period. Methods: Alkali injury was induced in one eye of male Lewis rats. Corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization were assessed daily. Real-time qRT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical staining were conducted to examine inflammation, neovascularization, and fibrosis. Results: We found that within 2 hours of chemical exposure, corneal opacification rapidly developed with an acute increase in various cytokine expressions, while several cytokines demonstrated a secondary peak by day 7. Early neutrophil infiltration peaked at day 1 post-injury while macrophage infiltration peaked at day 7. Throughout the time course of the study, corneal opacity persisted and neovascularization, lymphangiogenesis, and fibrosis progressed. Conclusions: This study highlights the molecular, clinical, and histopathological changes throughout the progression of alkali injury in the rat cornea. These profiles will assist in the development of new strategies and therapies for ocular alkali injury.