# The role of (O-acyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acids in human lipid layer structure and function in health and meibomian gland dysfunction.

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $367,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most prevalent ophthalmic conditions with
millions of Americans suffering from the condition. In addition to burdensome symptoms, meibum
and tear film alterations from MGD can impact ocular health by leading to ocular surface
desiccation and an increased risk of inflammation or infectious disease and an abnormal ocular
flora. Although these things are becoming better understood, the molecular basis for the
mechanisms of lipid layer and tear film disruption are not well understood. Initial evidence from
the literature and preliminary studies suggests that the O-acyl omega hydroxy fatty acids
(OAHFAs) found in the meibum and tear film lipids are associated with increased in vivo lipid layer
disruption and tear film thinning. The long-term goal of this research is to identify a molecular
marker that predicts structural and functional changes in the meibum and tear film such that it
may be considered a potential targeted therapeutic.
 Specific Aim #1 is targeted to quantitate and identify OAHFAs that are proposed to be
decreased in the meibum and tear film in MGD. Quantitative differences will be determined using
mass spectrometry, with class and species identification resultant from electrospray ionization
(ESI) with a quadrupole time-of-flight (q-TOF) tandem MS for high resolution mass and structural
information and SWATH analysis. Specific Aim #2 is targeted to determine the structural impact
of the decrease in OAHFAs on the lipid layer of the tear film (e.g., reduced thickness, non-uniform
lipid lens appearance); a high resolution microscope will be used to study the in vivo structure of
the lipid layer. Specific Aim #3 will determine the functional impact of the disorganization of the
lipid layer relative to increased evaporation of the aqueous tear film via rapid tear film thinning. In
Specific Aim #3, a non-invasive interferometric optical system will be used to measure tear film
thinning on the ocular surface in relation to Specific Aims #1 and #2.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9998995
- **Project number:** 5R01EY026947-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** JASON Jay NICHOLS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $367,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9998995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9998995, The role of (O-acyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acids in human lipid layer structure and function in health and meibomian gland dysfunction. (5R01EY026947-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9998995. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*