Androgen Control of Gene Expression in the Mouse Meibomian Gland

Abstract

These findings demonstrate that testosterone regulates the expression of numerous genes in the mouse meibomian gland and that many of these genes are involved in lipid metabolic pathways.

The estrogenic retina: The potential contribution to healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases of the retina

“…Steroid sulfatase, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17beta-HSD types 1 and 3, aromatase, glucuronosyltransferase, in the human lacrimal gland, Meibomian gland, cornea, and conjunctiva, and the steroid sulfotransferase only in the lacrimal and Meibomian glands [8]. A number of genes are regulated by testosterone and E2 and/or progesterone in the lacrimal and Meibomian glands, and many of these genes are related to lipid metabolism, tyrosine kinases, immune factors, extracellular matrix components, steroidogenesis, and many others [6,8]. The underlying receptor signaling pathways are not obvious, but likely include genomic and non-genomic mechanisms.…”

“…Historically, this system, including lachrymal and Meibomian glands, cornea, conjunctiva and the lids has been suggested to be target of steroids and to be especially linked to the gender and hormonal fluctuations. Successively, it was found that these structures possess oestrogen, androgen, progesterone, mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], and steroidogenic enzymes, listed below, suggesting an intrinsic ability of metabolizing circulating steroids. Steroid sulfatase, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17beta-HSD types 1 and 3, aromatase, glucuronosyltransferase, in the human lacrimal gland, Meibomian gland, cornea, and conjunctiva, and the steroid sulfotransferase only in the lacrimal and Meibomian glands [8].…”

“…Successively, it was found that these structures possess oestrogen, androgen, progesterone, mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], and steroidogenic enzymes, listed below, suggesting an intrinsic ability of metabolizing circulating steroids. Steroid sulfatase, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17beta-HSD types 1 and 3, aromatase, glucuronosyltransferase, in the human lacrimal gland, Meibomian gland, cornea, and conjunctiva, and the steroid sulfotransferase only in the lacrimal and Meibomian glands [8]. A number of genes are regulated by testosterone and E2 and/or progesterone in the lacrimal and Meibomian glands, and many of these genes are related to lipid metabolism, tyrosine kinases, immune factors, extracellular matrix components, steroidogenesis, and many others [6,8].…”

“…Subsequently, it was discovered that the oestrogen 17β-oestradiol (E2) is locally formed in the retina via a cholesterol-based synthesis and testosterone aromatization [2,5]. As well, oestrogen, androgen, progesterone, mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors were identified throughout the eye regions, including the retina [5,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. These findings opened up new avenues of the eye research, revealing previously unknown signaling substrates, the neurosteroids, and the likelihood that locally synthesized neurosteroid E2 could influence visual processing and eye diseases.…”

Wax Esters: Chemistry and Biosynthesis

“…Mammalian Meibomian glands that line the eyelids and produce lipids can be used for biosynthetic studies (Anderson and Kolattukudy 1985;Kolattukudy et al 1985a;Schirra et al 2005). In recent years sebocytes-derived immortalized cell lines that are capable of differentiation into sebum producing cells have been developed.…”