Comparative Characterization of Human Meibomian Glands, Free Sebaceous Glands, and Hair-Associated Sebaceous Glands Based on Biomarkers, Analysis of Secretion Composition, and Gland Morphology

March 2024 in “ International journal of molecular sciences ”

Yuqiuhe Liu, Igor A. Butovich, Fabian Garreis, Ingrid Zahn, Michael Scholz, Simone Gaffling, Samir Jabari, Jana Dietrich, Friedrich Paulsen

meibomian glands free sebaceous glands hair-associated sebaceous glands biomarkers secretion composition gland morphology lipid profiles lipid droplets immunohistochemical analysis cytokeratins lipidomic analysis meibum sebum glandular acini MGs SGs

TLDR Meibomian glands are highly specialized and differ significantly from other sebaceous glands in structure and function.

The study compared human meibomian glands (MGs), free sebaceous glands (SGs), and hair-associated SGs using biomarkers, secretion composition, and gland morphology. MGs, found in the eyelids, have distinct lipid profiles and larger lipid droplets compared to other SGs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed different expression patterns of cytokeratins and other markers. Lipidomic analysis from 14 volunteers identified 403 lipid analytes, revealing that meibum is compositionally distinct from sebum. Structural differences were highlighted through three-dimensional reconstructions, showing MGs have more glandular acini. These findings enhance understanding of gland physiology and could inform treatments for MG-associated diseases.

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