April 2014
Volume 55, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2014
DHA metabolism by human meibomian gland epithelial cells
Ulrike Hampel; Todd W Mitchell; Simon H Brown; Peta Snikeris; Garreis Fabian; Friedrich P Paulsen; Mark D P Willcox
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Ulrike Hampel
    Medical faculty, Institute of Anatomy II, Erlangen, Germany
    University of New South Wales, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Todd W Mitchell
    University of Wollongong, Illawara Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Health Sciences, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
  • Simon H Brown
    University of Wollongong, Illawara Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Health Sciences, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
  • Peta Snikeris
    University of Wollongong, Illawara Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Health Sciences, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
  • Garreis Fabian
    Medical faculty, Institute of Anatomy II, Erlangen, Germany
  • Friedrich P Paulsen
    Medical faculty, Institute of Anatomy II, Erlangen, Germany
  • Mark D P Willcox
    University of New South Wales, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Ulrike Hampel, Optima Pharmazeutische GmbH (F); Todd Mitchell, None; Simon Brown, None; Peta Snikeris, None; Garreis Fabian, None; Friedrich Paulsen, None; Mark Willcox, None
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2014, Vol.55, 1302. doi:
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      Ulrike Hampel, Todd W Mitchell, Simon H Brown, Peta Snikeris, Garreis Fabian, Friedrich P Paulsen, Mark D P Willcox; DHA metabolism by human meibomian gland epithelial cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2014;55(13):1302.

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the metabolism of the omega 3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by meibomian gland epithelial cells (MG cells) and production of one of its metabolites Resolvin D1 (RvD1).

Methods: MG cells were differentiated in DMEM containing EGF and DHA for up to 3 days. Optimal DHA concentration was assessed by measuring lipid droplet accumulation with Sudan III staining. Gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) after DHA incubation was analyzed by real-time PCR. RvD1 concentrations of MG cell extracts were measured by enzyme immune assay. Lipid cell extracts were analyzed by automated, chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Lipid droplet accumulation was increased by 100 µM DHA supplementation. COX-2 mRNA expression decreased to 31% compared to control during DHA stimulation after 3 days (p < 0.05). 15-LOX mRNA expression was reduced by 28% after three days of DHA incubation (p < 0.05). Both mRNA levels were not significantly changed after 1 day incubation with DHA. The concentration of RvD1 was elevated 2-fold after DHA incubation (20.7 vs. 10.4 pg/mg total protein; p < 0.05). Total triglyceride (TAG) concentration was elevated during DHA supplementation.

Conclusions: DHA is esterified to TAG by MG cells. Furthermore, DHA supplementation supports anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing COX-2 expression and increasing the concentration of RvD1.

Keywords: 583 lipids • 526 eyelid • 592 metabolism  
© 2014, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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