Gene Expression and Fat Deposit in Primary Cultures of Rat Meibomian Gland Cells

Meibomian glands synthesize and store triglyceride, wax- and cholesteryl-ester, and secrete them onto the ocular surface as tear stabilizers. Since meibomian gland dysfunction causes dry eye and other ocular surface diseases,1 it is crucial to clarify molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism and gene expression of specific lipid metabolizing proteins in these glands. Although a number of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism are presumed to be produced by the tissue, few of them have as yet been identified. In the structurally similar sebaceous gland, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (ppar)-gamma, a lipid-related transcription factor, was found,2 and reaction mechanisms of fat metabolism similar to those in adipose tissues were indicated.