Structural Differences in Meibum From Donors After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Meibum, a key component of the tear film, plays a crucial role in ocular surface protection.
• Conformational changes in meibum are not well-studied in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential lipid conformational changes in the meibum of patients who have undergone HSCT.
• To compare meibum properties between HSCT patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Prospective comparative study involving HSCT patients and control participants without dry eye or prior transplantation.
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy utilized to measure meibum phase transition properties.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in lipid order, cooperativity, phase transition temperature, and magnitude of phase transition were observed between controls (Mc) and HSCT patients (MHSCT).
• Specifically, lipid order increased, cooperativity decreased, and phase transition temperature and magnitude increased in MHSCT compared to Mc (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Conformational and thermodynamic alterations in meibum lipids were identified in HSCT patients.
• These findings indicate that meibum composition changes after stem cell transplantation.
• Clinicians should consider therapeutic interventions targeting meibomian glands to enhance ocular surface health in HSCT recipients.