气候变化领域集成服务门户

Human subjects with pseudohypoaldosteronism-1 because of loss-of-function mutations in epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunits exhibit meibomian gland (MG) dysfunction. A conditional beta ENaC MG knockout (KO) mouse model was generated to elucidate the pathogenesis of absent ENaC function in the MG and associated ocular surface disease. beta ENaC MG KO mice exhibited a striking age-dependent, female-predominant MG dysfunction phenotype, with white toothpastelike secretions observed obstructing MG orifices at 7 weeks of age. There were compensatory increases in tear production but higher tear sodium and indexes of mucin concentration in beta ENaC MG KO mice. Histologically, MG acinar atrophy was observed with ductal enlargement and ductal epithelial hyperstratification. Inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in both MG and conjunctiva of beta ENaC MG KO mice. In older beta ENaC MG KO mice (5 to 11 months), significant ocular surface pathologies were noted, including corneal opacification, ulceration, neovascularization, and ectasia. Inflammation in MG and conjunctiva was confirmed by increased cytokine gene and protein expression and positive Ly-6B.2 immunostaining. Cell proliferation assays revealed lower proliferation rates of MG cells derived from beta ENaC MG KO than control mice, suggesting that beta ENaC plays a role in cell renewal of mouse MG. Loss of beta ENaC function resulted in MG disease and severe ocular surface damage that phenocopied aspects of human pseudohypoaldosteronism-1 MG disease and was sex dependent.