A New Organotypic 3D Slice Culture of Mouse Meibomian Glands Reveals Impact of Melanocortins

Zahn I, Garreis F, Schicht M, Rötzer V, Waschke J, Liu Y, Altersberger V, Paulsen F, Dietrich J (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 23

Article Number: 14947

Journal Issue: 23

DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314947

Abstract

The meibomian glands (MGs) within the eyelids produce a lipid-rich secretion that forms the superficial layer of the tear film. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) results in excessive evaporation of the tear film, which is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED). To develop a research model similar to the physiological situation of MGs, we established a new 3D organotypic slice culture (OSC) of mouse MGs (mMGs) and investigated the effects of melanocortins on exocrine secretion. Tissue viability, lipid production and morphological changes were analyzed during a 21-day cultivation period. Subsequently, the effects on lipid production and gene expression were examined after stimulation with a melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and/or an MCR antagonist, JNJ-10229570. The cultivation of mMGs OSCs was possible without impairment for at least seven days. Stimulation with the MCR agonists induced lipid production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas this effect was tapered with the simultaneous incubation of the MCR antagonist. The new 3D OSC model is a promising approach to study the (patho-) physiological properties of MG/MGD while reducing animal studies. Therefore, it may accelerate the search for new treatments for MGD/DED and lead to new insights, such as that melanocortins likely stimulate meibum production.

Authors with CRIS profile

Ingrid Zahn Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Fabian Garreis Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Martin Schicht Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Yuqiuhe Liu Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Valerian Altersberger Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Friedrich Paulsen Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Jana Dietrich Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie

Involved external institutions

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zahn, I., Garreis, F., Schicht, M., Rötzer, V., Waschke, J., Liu, Y.,... Dietrich, J. (2022). A New Organotypic 3D Slice Culture of Mouse Meibomian Glands Reveals Impact of Melanocortins. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314947

MLA:

Zahn, Ingrid, et al. "A New Organotypic 3D Slice Culture of Mouse Meibomian Glands Reveals Impact of Melanocortins." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23.23 (2022).

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