Induction of meibocyte differentiation by three-dimensional, matrigel culture of immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells to form acinar organoids

•The 2D culture of primary meibocytes and iHMGEC lack key factors required for meibocytes differentiation.•The 3D culture formed the spheroids exhibiting either meibocyte or ductal organoid phenotype in the presence of PPARγ ligand.•The expression of AWAT2, an essential enzyme required for wax ester synthesis, was only identified in 3D acinar organoids.•The 3D culture of iHMGEC maintained a basal epithelial progenitor cells population.