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Brain Function Activity Changes and Contribution of Neuroinflammatory Factors in Insular Cortex of Mice with Dry Eye-Related Chronic Corneal Pain.
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  • Rui Xu,
  • Yu Wen Zhang,
  • Qing Gu,
  • Tian Jie Yuan,
  • Bing Qian Fan,
  • Jun Ming Xia,
  • Jin Hong Wu,
  • Ying Xia,
  • Wen Xian Li,
  • Yuan Han
Rui Xu
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Department of Anesthesiology
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Yu Wen Zhang
Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University
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Qing Gu
Children’s Hospital of Fudan University
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Tian Jie Yuan
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Bing Qian Fan
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Jun Ming Xia
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Jin Hong Wu
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Ying Xia
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Wen Xian Li
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
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Yuan Han
Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Purpose:Chronic corneal pain is the most common symptom of dry eye disease (DED), while the central sensitization mechanisms underlying remain unclear. Methods:Excision of extra orbital lacrimal glands was used to establish dry eye (DE) model. Tear volume measurements, corneal fluorescein staining, corneal hypersensitivity and anxiety behavior were tested after surgery. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) by fMRI was used for determining brain functional activity. C-Fos, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cytokine levels in corresponding brain regions were tested. Results:Compared to the Sham group, the ALFF signals in the supplemental somatosensory area, secondary auditory cortex, agranular insular cortex, temporal association areas, and ectorhinal cortex brain areas were enhanced in DE group. ALFF signal in the insular cortex was related to corneal hypersensitivity (p < 0.01). C-Fos (P < 0.001), BDNF (P < 0.01), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β (P < 0.05) increased, while IL-10 levels (P < 0.05) decreased in the insular cortex in the DE group. Surgery-induced corneal hypersensitivity and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, but not anxiety, could be blocked by insular cortex injection of Tyrosine Kinase receptor B (TrkB) agonist cyclotraxin-B (P< 0.01). Conclusions :This research presents the map of functional brain by ALFF through rs-fMRI associated with chronic corneal pain. BDNF-TrkB signaling-related neuroinflammation in the insular cortex might contribute to dry eye-related chronic corneal pain. This measure could potentially help clinicians improve therapeutic approach to pain control and development of diagnostic approach.