Evaluation of the effects of latanoprost and benzalkonium chloride on the cell viability and nonpolar lipid profile produced by human meibomian gland epithelial cells in culture.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a PGF analog, latanoprost, and its preservative, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), on the cell viability and lipidomic expression of immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs).

Methods: Differentiated HMGECs were exposed to latanoprost (0.05 to 50 µg/ml), BAK (0.

Immortalized Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells Produce Functional Complement C3 and C4 Proteins.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether complement proteins C3 and C4 are produced by immortalized human conjunctival epithelial (HCjE) cells.

Methods: Supernatants and cell lysates from undifferentiated and differentiated HCjE cells were assayed for C3 and C4 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To measure complement protein function, supernatants and lysates were treated with heat-aggregated IgG, and soluble C5b-9 was measured.

Prostaglandin E2 and F2α Alter Expression of Select Cholesteryl Esters and Triacylglycerols Produced by Human Meibomian Gland Epithelial Cells.

Purpose: PGF2α analogs are commonly used to treat glaucoma and are associated with higher rates of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological effects of PGF2α and PGE2 on immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs).

Methods: HMGECs were immunostained for the 4 PGE2 receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) and 1 PGF2α receptor (FP) and imaged.

Triacylglycerol lipidome from human meibomian gland epithelial cells: Description, response to culture conditions, and perspective on function.

Preliminary work has shown that select triacylglycerols (TAGs) are upregulated in a preclinical model of MGD, suggesting that TAGs may be an important outcome variable in research involving human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs). The purpose of this study was to explore the HMGEC TAG lipidome in culture conditions known to influence differentiation. HMGECs were differentiated in DMEM/F12 with 10 ng/ml EGF, FBS (2% or 10%), and rosiglitazone (0, 20, or 50 μM) for two or five days.

Saturation of cholesteryl esters produced by human meibomian gland epithelial cells after treatment with rosiglitazone.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the cholesteryl ester (CE) profiles expressed from human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs) in response to rosiglitazone-induced differentiation to that of normal human meibum.

Methods: HMGECs were cultured with rosiglitazone (vehicle control, 20 μM, or 50 μM) and fetal bovine serum (FBS, 2% or 10%) for 2 days or 5 days. Following culture, lipid extracts were processed and analyzed by ESI-MSMS in positive ion mode.

Evaluation of Cell Harvesting Techniques to Optimize Lipidomic Analysis from Human Meibomian Gland Epithelial Cells in Culture.

The lipidomic analysis of immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs) has been proposed as a preclinical model to study meibomian gland dysfunction. An in vitro study was conducted to evaluate neutral lipid recovery following three harvesting techniques and to identify candidate lipid biomarkers of HMGECs. HMGECs were cultured in serum-containing media for two days to promote lipid production.

Effect of the Bruder moist heat eye compress on contact lens discomfort in contact lens wearers: An open-label randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the Bruder Moist Heat Compress on contact lens (CL) discomfort in subjects with contact lens-related dry eye (CLDE). This was a 4-week, single-center, three-arm, randomized, open-label clinical trial in subjects diagnosed with CLDE using the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire. Fifty-one CL wearers were randomized to one of three treatment groups: application of the Bruder Compress twice a day, Bruder Compress once a day, or warm washcloth used for ten minutes twice a day without reheating.

Tear Film and Meibomian Gland Characteristics in Adolescents.

Purpose: To establish normative values of ocular surface parameters in adolescents and explore factors associated with meibomian gland (MG) dropout.

Methods: Subjects between 8 and 17 years of age were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were given dry eye and lifestyle questionnaires.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Profiles of Commonly Used Human Ocular Surface Cell Lines.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish the short tandem repeat (STR) profiles of several human cell lines commonly used in ocular surface research.

Materials And Methods: Independently DNA was extracted from multiple passages of three human corneal epithelial cell lines, two human conjunctival epithelial cell lines and one meibomian gland cell line, from different laboratories actively involved in ocular surface research. The samples were then subjected to STR analysis on a fee-for-service basis in an academic setting and the data compared against that in available databases.

Relation Between Dietary Essential Fatty Acid Intake and Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids with dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Postmenopausal women (n = 439) underwent a clinical evaluation and completed the Vio Food Frequency Questionnaire to estimate their dietary intake of n-3s and n-6s.