Comparative Biophysical Study of Meibomian Lipids of Wild Type and Soat1-Null Mice: Implications to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Disease

PURPOSE. The biophysical roles of Meibomian lipids (MLs) played in health and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) are still unclear. The purpose of this research is to establish the composition-structure-functional correlations of the ML film (MLF) using Soat1null mice and comprehensive in vitro biophysical simulations. METHODS. MLs were extracted from tarsal plates of wild type (WT) and Soat1 knockout (KO) mice. The chemical composition of ML samples was characterized using liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry. Comprehensive biophysical studies of the MLFs, including their dynamic surface activity, interfacial rheology, evaporation resistance, and ultrastructure and topography, were performed with a novel experimental methodology called the constrained drop surfactometry. RESULTS. Soat1 inactivation caused multiple alternations in the ML profile. Compared to their WT siblings, the MLs of KO mice were completely devoid of cholesteryl esters (CEs) longer than C₁₈ to C₂₀, but contained 7 times more free cholesterol (Chl). Biophysical assays consistently suggested that the KO-MLF became stiffer than that of WT mice, revealed by reduced film compressibility, increased elastic modulus, and decreased loss tangent, thus causing more energy loss per blinking cycle of the MLF. Moreover, the KO mice showed thinning of their MLF, and reduced evaporation resistance. CONCLUSIONS. These findings delineated the composition-structure-functional correlations of the MLF and suggested a potential biophysical function of long-chain CEs in optimizing the surface activity, interfacial rheology, and evaporation resistance of the MLF. This study may provide novel implications to pathophysiological and translational understanding of MGD and dry eye disease.