Isolation and Culture of Human Meibomian Gland Ductal Cells

PURPOSE. Hyperkeratinization of meibomian gland (MG) ducts is currently recognized as the primary pathologic mechanism of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This research figured out a method to isolate the MG ducts and established a novel system to culture the human meibomian gland ductal cells (HMGDCs) for investigating the process of MGD. METHODS. The MG ducts were obtained from the eyelids of recently deceased donors and subjected to enzymatic digestion. The acini were then removed to isolate independent ducts. These MG ducts were subsequently cultivated on Matrigel-coated wells and covered with a glass plate to obtain HMGDCs. The HMGDCs were further cultivated until passage 2, and when they reached 60% confluence, they were treated with IL-1 beta and rosiglitazone for a duration of 48 hours. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot techniques were employed to identify ductal cells and analyze the effects of IL-1 beta on HMGDCs in an in vitro setting. RESULTS. Ophthalmic micro-forceps and insulin needles can be employed for the purpose of isolating ducts. Within this particular culture system, the rapid expansion of HMGDCs occurred in close proximity to the duct tissue. MG ducts specifically expressed keratin 6 (Krt6) and hardly synthesized lipids. Furthermore, the expression of Krt6 was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in HMGDCs compared to human meibomian gland cells. Upon treatment with IL-1 beta, HMGDCs exhibited an overexpression of keratin 1, which was effectively blocked by the administration of rosiglitazone. CONCLUSIONS. The present study successfully isolated human MG ducts and cultured HMGDCs, providing a valuable in vitro model for investigating the mechanism of MGD. Additionally, the potential therapeutic efficacy of rosiglitazone in treating hyperkeratinization of ducts in patients with MGD was identified.