PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate a human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC) as a model for meibomian gland (patho)physiology in vitro.MethodsHMGEC were cultured in the absence or presence of serum. Sudan III lipid staining, ultrastructural analysis and lipidomic analyses were performed. Impedance sensing, desmoplakin 1/2 mRNA and cytokeratin (CK) 1, 5, 6, 14 levels were evaluated. Serum containing medium supplemented with higher serum, glucose, an omega-3 lipid cocktail, eicosapentaenoic acid or sebomed medium were investigated for lipid accumulation and ultrastructural morphology.ResultsLipid droplet accumulation in HMGEC was induced by serum containing media after 1 day, but decreased over time. Cultivation in serum induced desmosome and cytokeratin filament formation. Desmoplakin 1/2 gene levels were significantly upregulated after 1d of serum treatment. Furthermore, the normalized impedance increased significantly. Lipidome analysis revealed high levels of phospholipids (over 50%), but very low levels of wax ester and cholesteryl esters (under 1%). Stimulation with eicosapentaenoic acid increased lipid accumulation after one day.ConclusionSerum treatment of HMGEC caused lipid droplet formation to some extent but also induced keratinization. The cells did not produce typical meibum lipids under these growth conditions. HMGEC are well suited to study (hyper)keratinization processes of meibomian gland epithelial cells in vitro.

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Symptoms of burnout are common among medical students. Although they usually start with a good health status, their condition deteriorates over the course of their studies. In our study ESTRELLAS we examined 530 medical students in the preclinical semesters with validated psychological questionnaires. The longer the students were studying, the more showed risky working habits. Cognitive and emotional burnout symptoms increased coincidentally in their intensity, whereas the mental quality of life continuously deteriorated. Medical students' cognitive and emotional burnout symptoms are constantly increasing from the beginning of their studies. Contemporaneously, the mental quality of life is deteriorating. This might be based on a drastic change towards risky working habits. We suggest to actively work against this process to keep our motivated students and prospective physicians productive and in good mental health.

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. Culture conditions were optimized employing exposure to air (air-lift) and different cell culture media for a maximum of 28 days. To characterize cell differentiation in the developed 3D model, the expression pattern of cytokeratins was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Sudan III staining was performed for detection of lipid formation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for ultrastructural analysis. RESULTS.Only Alvetex scaffolds and the hanging drop method revealed satisfactory results with regard to 3D culture. Continuous use of proliferation medium (serum-free keratinocyte medium containing epidermal growth factor and bovine pituitary extract) and air-lift were important steps for HMGEC differentiation in 3D culture. However, HMGECs only reached a differentiating state and never became mature or hypermature. When cultured in hanging drops, HMGECs showed serum-induced keratinization processes. CONCLUSIONS.HMGECs have the capability to differentiate in a long-term 3D culture, especially when adapted to an air-rich environment. However, even in the 3D format, HMGECs only reach a state of differentiating meibocytes.