Figure 3.

Histologic and immunofluorescent staining of corneas at day 14 after alkali burn injury. (A) Histology of alkali burned corneal stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E). H&E staining shows numerous mononuclear cells present and loss of the epithelium the control (BSS) group, which was distinct from the uninjured group (Un). In contrast, the Hst5-treated groups showed attenuated mononuclear cell infiltration and recovery of the corneal epithelium, similar to those of normal corneas. (B) Immunofluorescent staining of CD45 in cross-sectioned murine corneas demonstrated that CD45⁺cells infiltrated the corneal stroma on day 14 after the alkali burn induction. However, Hst5 suppressed the infiltration of corneal CD45⁺ immune cell. (C) Bar graph representing the mean ± SD of CD45⁺ immune cell number counted from three eyes per treatment group. (D) Stromal edema was graded into four groups: 0–3 (0 = absence; 1 = mild; 2 = moderate; 3 = severe). Hst5 treatment recovered the stromal edema induced by alkali injury. (E) Epithelial thickness was measured in each group using Image J. The thickness of epithelial layer was reduced by injury and was normalized in mice treated with Hst5. Statistical significance was determined by Student's t-test. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Scale bar: 100 µm.