Fig. 7

PM2.5 exposure alters the limbal microenvironment. (A) Corneal whole mount immunofluorescence staining of TUBB3 showed the morphology change of corneal nerve fiber after exposure for 3 weeks. PM2.5 group showed a decreased density of sub-basal nerve fibers (scale bar, 100 μm). N = 3 in each group. *p < 0.05. (B) The change in limbal vessel density at 3 weeks was shown according to immunofluorescence staining of CD31 (scale bar, 100 μm). N = 3 in each group. *p < 0.05. (C) Limbal vascular permeability increased in a dose-dependent manner after 2 days of PM2.5 exposure. N = 6 in PBS, 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml group. N = 4 in 10 mg/ml group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. (D) Limbal vascular permeability in 3 weeks. *p < 0.05. N = 6 in 0, 1, 2 days and 1 week groups. N = 4 in 3 weeks groups. (E) In the PM2.5 group, CD45⁺ staining of limbal interstitial cells decreased at 2 days and increased at 3 weeks (scale bar, 100 μm). The white arrowhead indicated the CD45⁺ cells. N = 3 in each group. PBS: the PBS eyedrop administration group; PM: the PM2.5 eyedrop administration group