Dyslipidemia and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Utility of Lipidomics and Experimental Prospects with a Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Jul 17;20(14):3505. doi: 10.3390/ijms20143505.

Abstract

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease and loss of ocular surface homeostasis. Increasingly, several observational clinical studies suggest that dyslipidemia (elevated blood cholesterol, triglyceride or lipoprotein levels) can initiate the development of MGD. However, conclusive evidence is lacking, and an experimental approach using a suitable model is necessary to interrogate the relationship between dyslipidemia and MGD. This systematic review discusses current knowledge on the associations between dyslipidemia and MGD. We briefly introduce a diet-induced obesity model where mice develop dyslipidemia, which can serve as a potential tool for investigating the effects of dyslipidemia on the meibomian gland. Finally, the utility of lipidomics to examine the link between dyslipidemia and MGD is considered.

Keywords: dry eye; dyslipidemia; lipidomics; meibomian gland dysfunction; ocular surface.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diet / adverse effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dyslipidemias* / chemically induced
  • Dyslipidemias* / metabolism
  • Dyslipidemias* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lipidomics*
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction* / chemically induced
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction* / metabolism
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Obesity* / chemically induced
  • Obesity* / metabolism
  • Obesity* / pathology