Differentiation Patterns of Immortalized Human Meibomian Gland Epithelial Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture.

Purpose: To establish a simplified three-dimensional (3D) meibomian gland culture model using a meibomian gland epithelial cell (HMGEC) line that might be a useful tool to gain deeper insights into meibomian gland dysfunction. For this purpose, 3D differentiation patterns and growth characteristics of HMGECs were studied on various membranes/scaffolds as well as in hanging drops.

Methods: Several types of inserts consisting of different materials (Millicell-HA, Millicell-PCF, ThinCert, and Alvetex) as well as hanging drop culture were analyzed.

Limited Azithromycin Localization to Rabbit Meibomian Glands Revealed by LC-MS-Based Bioanalysis and DESI Imaging.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye, and although it affects approximately 4% of the population, treatment options remain limited. Topical azithromycin is one of the most promising pharmacological agents because of its multiple mechanisms of action and long sustainability. Azithromycin is frequently used as an off-label medication in the U.

Penetration Route of the Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonist SA22465 and Betamethasone into Rabbit Meibomian Gland Based on Pharmacokinetics and Autoradiography.

Meibomian glands are modified sebaceous glands embedded within specific types of dense connective tissues. This study investigated drug penetration into meibomian glands following a single topical administration in rabbits. We measured time course concentrations of the selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist (SEGRA) SA22465 and betamethasone in lid margins, palpebral conjunctival epithelium, and meibomian glands following a single instillation using a newly established collection method.

Morphological features of the porcine lacrimal gland and its compatibility for human lacrimal gland xenografting.

In this study, we present first data concerning the anatomical structure, blood supply and location of the lacrimal gland of the pig. Our data indicate that the porcine lacrimal gland may serve as a potential xenograft candidate in humans or as an animal model for engineering of a bioartificial lacrimal gland tissue construct for clinical application. For this purpose, we used different macroscopic preparation techniques and digital reconstruction of the histological gland morphology to gain new insights and important information concerning the feasibility of a lacrimal gland transplantation from pig to humans in general.

Induction of zinc transporters by forskolin in human trophoblast BeWo cells.

During pregnancy, the zinc level in fetal serum is up to two-fold higher than that in the maternal serum at the end of pregnancy, but the mechanism of zinc release from the placenta into fetal circulation is not well understood. In this study, we determined the expression profiles of zinc transporters in human trophoblast BeWo cells, a representative human trophoblast cell line. Zn transporter 1-8 (ZnT1-8), Zrt/IRT-like protein 1 and Zn transporter-like transporter 1 were detected in BeWo cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

A novel strategy for the enhancement of drug absorption using a claudin modulator.

Claudin, a tight junction integral membrane protein and a family of proteins, forms the actual sealing element of the tight junction. There are more than 20 members of the claudin family with different tissue-specific expression and barrier functions. Thus, a family of claudin may be a target for modifying the absorption of drugs.

Expression profiles of zinc transporters in rodent placental models.

Zinc is a vital metal that is a structural and functional component of many proteins. The precise mechanism of zinc transport in the placenta remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression of zinc transporters (ZnTs) in the mouse placenta and in two rat trophoblast cell lines, TR-TBT cells, which are syncytiotrophoblast cells of the labyrinth zone, and Rcho-1 cells, which retain trophoblast cell features and differentiate into trophoblast giant cells of the junctional zone.