Premium
Nuclear parameters and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Author(s) -
dos Santos Daniela Moura,
Aldrovani Marcela,
Filezio Marcella Rosa,
Abreu Thais Guimarães Morato,
Balthazar da Silveira Camila Pinho,
Cruz Nathan Rocha das Neves,
Laus José Luiz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/vop.12564
Subject(s) - chromatin , pathology , conjunctiva , biology , feulgen stain , cell nucleus , chromatin remodeling , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , nucleus , dna , staining , genetics
Objective To study parameters related to nuclear morphology and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the inferior palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Animals studied Thirty‐two dogs (64 eyes) were included in the study. Based on the tear production measured by Schirmer tear test 1, the dogs were distributed into control and KCS groups. Procedures Epithelial cells and lymphocytes were collected by conjunctival brush cytology, fixed on glass slides, and subjected to the Feulgen reaction, a topochemical method specific for DNA/chromatin. Feulgen‐stained cells were studied by microscopy and video image analysis to establish nuclear size (area and perimeter) and shape (relative nuclear roundness factor = RNRF), DNA content (ploidy), and compaction and texture of chromatin. Results Conjunctival samples in the KCS group showed infiltration of inflammatory and immune cells. Micronuclei, snake‐like chromatin, aberrant chromosomes, and goblet cells were not detected. Compared with the controls, cells on the conjunctival surface of dogs with KCS showed altered nuclei. Conjunctival epithelial cells were more affected by KCS (changes in nuclear size, shape, DNA content, and chromatin compaction) than lymphocytes (changes in chromatin compaction, only). Significant chromatin decompaction was observed in both conjunctival epithelial cells and lymphocytes. Conclusions Our results show that KCS promotes chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes on the conjunctival surface of dogs. The changes described in this study are different from those reported for conjunctival cell nuclei of human KCS patients.