{
  "id": 3013610,
  "title": "Neutrophil remodeling is associated with human meibomian gland dysfunction and enables IFN-γ- and PAD4-dependent gland obstruction in mice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/neutrophil-remodeling-is-associated-with-human-meibomian-gland",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.19.744915v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a disorder affecting the eyelid's modified sebaceous glands, is the primary cause of dry eye disease and ocular surface issues. The immune mechanisms behind gland obstruction have been unclear. A study of 66 patients with ocular surface inflammation employed meibography and spectral flow cytometry of tear washes, uncovering a disease-associated, remodeled neutrophil state linked to gland atrophy. Single-cell transcriptomics in a mouse model of immune-mediated MGD unveiled a disease-associated neutrophil state with ocular surface enrichment, CD14 and ICAM-1 expression, heightened IFN-γ response, and inflammatory traits. Spatial transcriptomics pinpointed IFN-γ signaling and neutrophil migration to the periglandular region. The remodeled neutrophils displayed PAD4-dependent histone citrullination; deleting Padi4 reduced NET-associated obstructive plugging, identifying PAD4-dependent NETotic activity as their disease-inducing result. Blocking IFN-γ signaling emulated Padi4 deficiency, but simultaneous inhibition of both pathways offered no added protection, suggesting that IFN-γ and PAD4 function as distinct essential inputs. Remodeled neutrophils amassed under both scenarios, dissociating disease severity from cell count alone. These findings propose immune-mediated obstructive MGD as a mechanistic endotype driven by the IFN-γ- and PAD4-dependent effector output of a remodeled neutrophil state.",
  "summary": "Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a disorder of the eyelid's modified sebaceous glands, is the leading cause of dry eye disease and ocular surface morbidity, yet the immune mechanisms driving gland obstruction remain poorly defined. In a cross-sectional study of 66 patients with ocular surface inflammation, we used meibography and spectral flow cytometry of tear washes to identify a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}