Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: What Have Animal Models Taught Us?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Translational Research

Background:

• Dry eye disease (DED) affects millions globally, with evaporative DED and Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) being primary drivers.
• Current treatments for MGD are palliative, necessitating research into effective therapies.
• Understanding Meibomian gland development, homeostasis, and pathology is critical for advancing DED treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive bibliographic review of animal models used in Meibomian gland research.
• To focus on studies published between 2000 and 2020.
• To highlight the contribution of animal models to understanding MGD and DED.

Main Methods:

• Bibliographic review of scientific literature.
• Focus on animal models including canine, rabbit, and mouse strains.
• Analysis of studies related to Meibomian gland development, homeostasis, and MGD.

Main Results:

• Canine and rabbit models have been instrumental in studying DED physiopathology and progression.
• Mouse models, including knockout strains, have facilitated the identification of MGD-related pathways.
• Animal models have significantly advanced knowledge of Meibomian gland biology and MGD.

Conclusions:

• Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease.
• Continued research using diverse animal models is essential for developing novel MGD therapies.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge on animal models, guiding future research directions.