title: The human meibomian gland epithelial cell line as a model to study meibomian gland dysfunction.
abstract: The meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED) throughout the world. The investigation of MGD lacks suitable in vivo and in vitro models. In 2010 a human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC) was established, so far the only available meibomian gland cell line. The characterization of HMGEC is of major importance to clarify its suitability for studying the meibomian gland (patho)physiology in vitro. The current culture protocol and new concepts of HMGEC culture will be compared. Hormones are believed to be a key factor in meibomian gland dysfunction thus HMGEC responsiveness to hormone stimulation is crucial to elucidate the hormonal influence on the meibomian gland. This review will summarize current findings about HMGEC and discuss its role in the meibomian gland dysfunction research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany. Electronic address: ulrike.hampel@unimedizin-mainz.de.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hampel
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy II, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garreis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
keywords: Cell line; Dry eye; Hormone; Meibomian gland