Purpose: The object of this study is to determine the velocity and migration course of meibomian gland cells. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven adult rats weighing about 200 g were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 0.5 µCi [3H]-thymidine/g body weight. Three rats were sacrificed 1 h after injection and 3 rats each on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 28 after injection. The eyes and eyelids were removed in one piece, fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and cut into 5-µm-thick vertical sections along the pupillary-optic nerve axis. The sections were dipped in liquid autoradiographic emulsion, exposed for 3 weeks, and stained with HE. Meibomian glands were scanned in the lower eyelid of the left eye using an ocular micrometer grid. In each scan the basement membrane of each acinus served as a point of origin. Along the entire gland two parameters were noted for each nucleus with three grains or more: the distance from the basement membrane (Y) and grain count. Results: This study demonstrates for the first time the exact timing and direction of meibomian gland cell migration. We have shown that the cells migrate from the basement membrane to the center of the acinus at an average rate of 0.62 ± 0.11 µm/day. Cell generation time was an average of 4.1 days. Conclusions: The stem cells of meibomian glands lie at the circumference of each acinus. These cells migrate synchronously with a constant velocity towards the center of the acinus, and are secreted as sebaceous material.

This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.