Special Senses System

Lacrimal Gland - Atrophy

Narrative
Comment:
Lacrimal gland atrophy (Figure 1 and Figure 2) occurs commonly in rats and mice as a spontaneous aging change and can also be a sequela of trauma, inflammation, or other primary lacrimal gland disease. It is characterized by focal to confluent areas of shrunken acini lined by small, low to flattened cuboidal cells and supported by variably increased fibrous stroma.
Recommendations:
Lacrimal gland atrophy should be diagnosed and assigned a severity grade. Any associated reactive fibrosis should not be diagnosed separately, unless warranted by severity, but can be described in the narrative.
References:

Botts S, Jokinen M, Gaillard ET, Elwell MR, Mann PC. 1999. Salivary, Harderian, and lacrimal glands. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 49-79.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm

Hassan AS, Clouthier SG, Ferrara JL, Stepan A, Mian SI, Ahmad AZ, Elner VM. 2005. Lacrimal gland involvement in graft-versus-host disease: A murine model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 46:2692-2697.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16043840/

Kojima T, Wakamatsu TS, Dogru M, Ogawa Y, Igarishi A, Ibrahim OMA, Inaba T, Shimizu T, Noda S, Obata H, Nakmura S, Wakmatsu A, Shirasawa T, Simazaki J, Negishi K, Tsubota K. 2012. Age-related dysfunction of the lacrimal gland and oxidative stress: Evidence from the Cu,Zn,-superoxide dismutase (Sod1) knockout mice. Am J Pathol 180:1879-1896.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22440255

Lui SH, Prendergast RA, Silverstein AM. 1987. Experimental autoimmune dacryoadenitis. I. Lacrimal disease in the rat. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 28:270–275.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8591907/

McCartney-Francis NL, Mizel DE, Frazier-Johnson M, Kulkami AB, McCarthy JB, Wahl SM. 1997. Lacrimal gland inflammation is responsible for ocular pathology in TGF-β1 null mice. Am J Pathol 151:1281-1288.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1858095/

National Toxicology Program. 1999. NTP TR-488. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 60-HZ Magnetic Fields in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Whole-Body Exposure Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/10166

Rios JD, Horikawa Y, Chan L-L, Kubin CL, Hodges RR, Dartt DA, Zoukhri D. 2005. Age-dependent alterations in mouse exorbital lacrimal gland structure, innervation and secretory response. Exp Eye Res 80:477-491.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15781275
  • Image of atrophy in the lacrimal gland from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study

    Lacrimal gland - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The atrophic glands on the left can be compared to the normal glands on the right.

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Lacrimal gland - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Atrophy (arrow) is characterized by a focus of shrunken acini lined by small, low cuboidal to flattened cells with increased fibrous stroma.
Lacrimal gland - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Atrophy (arrow) is characterized by a focus of shrunken acini lined by small, low cuboidal to flattened cells with increased fibrous stroma.
Lacrimal gland - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The atrophic glands on the left can be compared to the normal glands on the right.
Lacrimal gland - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The atrophic glands on the left can be compared to the normal glands on the right.

Author

Margarita M. Gruebbel, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Ruth E. Hurley, DVM, PHD, DACVP
Senior Veterinary Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
North Brunswick, NJ

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC