Performing Injection into Palpebral Portion of the Superior Lacrimal Gland: A Technique for Inducing Dry Eye Disease in Rabbit Model
Published: April 30, 2023
Abstract
Source: Honkanen, R. A., et al. A Rabbit Model of Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye Disease Induced by Concanavalin A Injection into the Lacrimal Glands: Application to Drug Efficacy Studies. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).
In this video, we show a procedure to induce aqueous-deficient dry eye disease in a rabbit model by injecting the palpebral portion of the superior lacrimal gland with Concanavalin A. This model is useful for pharmacokinetic and biodistribution assays of drugs for treating dry eye disease.
Protocol
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. 1. Animals and housing Acquire New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits weighing 2-3 kg. House the rabbits singly in cages with strict temperature (65 ± 5 °F) and humidity (45 ± 5%) control. Lighting should have a 12 h on/off cycle. Provide unlimited access to water and standard rabbit chow. Eliminate dietary enri…
Representative Results
Figure 1: Gas mask sedation. This photograph shows the gas mask providing brief moderate sedation with isoflurane. Figure 2: Preparation of rabbit for concanavalin A injections. (A) Small shears are used to remove fur, allowing…
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Materials
| 27 gauge needles (5/8) | Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ | 305921 | Needles for injecting ConA into the lacrimal glands |
| Aceproinj (acepromazine) | Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH | NDC11695-0079-8 | 0.1ml/kg subcutaneously injection for rabbit sedation |
| Anesthesia vaporizer | VetEquip, Pleasanton, CA | Item #911103 | |
| Bishop Harmon Forceps | Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater, NJ | E1500-C | Tissue forceps |
| Concanavalin A | Sigma, St. Louis, MO | C2010 | Make 5mg/ml in PBS for injection into rabbit lacrimal glands |
| fluorescein | AKRON, Lake Forest, IL | NDC17478-253 | Dilute to 0.2% with PBS to measure TBUT |
| Isoflurane | Henry Schein, Melville, NY | 29405 | |
| lidocaine | Sigma, St. Louis, MO | L5647 | 1% in PBS for anesthesia agent |
| PBS (phosphate buffered saline) | Mediatech, Inc. Manassas, VA | 21-031-CV | |
| Rabbit, New Zealand White or Dutch Belted (as described in text) | Charles River Labs, Waltham, MA | 2-3 kg | Research animals |
| Surgical Loupes +1.50 | Designs for Vision, Bohemia, NY | Specialty item | Provide magnificantion of ocular surface while observing tear break up and performing Concanavalin A injections. |
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Cite This Article
Performing Injection into Palpebral Portion of the Superior Lacrimal Gland: A Technique for Inducing Dry Eye Disease in Rabbit Model. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e20909, doi: (2023).