Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: Compensatory increases in tear volume and mucin levels associated with meibomian gland dysfunction caused by stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 deficiency

Figure 5

Schema of compensation mechanism. The normal tear film consists of three layers that maintain the tear film stability (Wild-type). SCD-1 KO mice exhibit meibomian gland dysfunction. Since the lipid layer was decreased, water evaporates gradually and the aqueous layer becomes thin. The SCD-1 KO mice showed an accelerated compensation mechanism to protect the corneal epithelium. As a result, increased secretion of tear fluid and mucins were associated with elevated expression of lipid metabolism genes such as FASN, LDLR, and UCP-1 in SCD-1 deficient mice.

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