Pro-inflammatory cytokines and gelatinases in climatic droplet keratopathy

M. HOLOPAINEN, J.; ROBCIUC A; CAFARO T; SUAREZ MARÍA F; KONTTINEN YT; ALKATAN HM; KHALID F. TABBARA; TERVAHARTIALA T; SORSA T; URRETS-ZAVALIA JA; SERRA HM

ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC

Año: 2012 p. 3527 - 3527

URPOSE: Climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) is a degenerative disease of the cornea with possible involvement from matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Therefore, the authors investigated histologic distribution, levels, and molecular forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as tear fluid levels of MMPs and cytokines in CDK patients. They additionally examined UV-B-irradiation effect on production of gelatinases and cytokines by human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell culture model. METHODS: Tears were collected from 20 unrelated individuals (10 with CDK and 10 controls). CDK affected corneas were haematoxylin-eosin stained and the presence and distribution of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was examined using immunohistochemistry. Gelatinases and cytokine secretion was measured in tears and supernatants from UV-B-exposed HCEs by immunoblotting, gelatin zymography, and protein array, respectively. RESULTS: MMP-2 and MMP-9 values were significantly higher in tears collected from CDK patients than hea