title: Notch Signaling in Meibomian Gland Epithelial Cell Differentiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Notch1 was previously shown to play a critical role in murine meibomian gland function and maintenance. In this study, we have examined the expression and activation of Notch pathway in human meibomian gland epithelial cells in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  An immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cell (HMGEC) line was cultured under proliferative and differentiative conditions. Expression of Notch receptors and ligands were evaluated by quantitative PCR and Western blot. The effect of Notch inhibition and induction on oil production was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human meibomian gland epithelial cell expressed Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Jagged1, Jagged2, Delta-like 1, and Delta-like 3. The level of cleaved (activated) Notch1 strongly increased with differentiation. The expression of Notch3 was inversely correlated with proliferation. Induction and inhibition of Notch1 led to an increase and decrease in the amount of oil production, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Notch signaling appears to play an important role in human meibomian gland epithelial differentiation and oil production. This may provide a potential therapeutic pathway for treating meibomian gland dysfunction.
authors.forename: Sanaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gidfar
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Afsharkhamseh
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanjari
authors.forename: Ali R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Djalilian
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051881:Receptor, Notch1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C497761:NOTCH1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051881:Receptor, Notch1