Fig. 7
Neuronal FcεRIα mediates ocular itch in the ACJ murine model. A Representative H&E images of conjunctiva from mice infected by two types of viruses taken 12 h after ACJ induction. Scale bar: 100 μm. B Representative gel band of FcεRIα protein in TG from control or ACJ-treated mice after trigeminal injection of two types viruses. C Western blot revealed a significant decrease in the level of FcεRIα protein in Pirt-shFcεRIα group compared with Pirt-NC group for both control and ACJ-treated mice. n = 4 per group, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, Pirt-shFcεRIα vs. Pirt-NC, Student’s t-test. D Eye-towards scratching behavior in ACJ model as challenged by OVA was significantly decreased in Pirt-shFcεRIα group compared with Pirt-NC group, while no difference was discovered in control-treated mice between two types viruses. n = 7 per group, *P < 0.05, Pirt-shFcεRIα vs. Pirt-NC, Student’s t-test. E Representative images of conjunctiva from mice infected by two types viruses taken 12 h after ACJ induction and stained for FITC-avidin. The mast cells in allergic conjunctiva presented as irregular shape with degranulation. The embedded boxes showed the enlarged views. Scale bar: 100 μm. F Quantitative analysis of mast cells number after different treatments. n = 6 per group; ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001, ACJ vs. Ctrl infected by the same virus, Student’s t-test. n.s. no significance, Pirt-shFcεRIα vs. Pirt-NC, Student’s t-test. G Proportions of activated mast cells (with degranulation) after different treatments. n = 6 per group; ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001, ACJ vs. Ctrl infected by the same virus, Student’s t-test. n.s. no significance, Pirt-shFcεRIα vs. Pirt-NC, Student’s t-test. Ctrl control, ACJ allergic conjunctivitis