Altered expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors as possible contributors to corneal droplet formation in climatic droplet keratopathy

M. HOLOPAINEN, J.; SERRA HM; MC SANCHEZ,; T. SORSA,; ZALENTEIN WN; BARCELONA PF; MOILANEN JA; TERVAHARTIALA T; TERVO TM; CAFARO TA; VIRTANEN I; URRETS-ZAVALIA EA; BHATTACHARYA SK; URRETS-ZAVALIA JA

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2011 p. 569 - 569

URPOSE: Climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) is an acquired corneal disease characterized by progressive scarring of the cornea. In several corneal diseases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are upregulated during the degradation of epithelial and stromal tissues. We investigated the levels, degree of activation and molecular forms of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-8 and MMP-13 and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in tear fluid of patients with CDK. METHODS: Seventeen CDK patients and 10 controls living in Argentine Patagonia received a complete eye examination, and MMPs and TIMP-1/2 were determined by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA), gelatin zymography and quantitative Western immunoblot analysis in tear samples. RESULTS: The MMPs were detected mostly in their latent forms. The levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were found to be significantly elevated in CDK patients, whereas latent and active MMP-8 levels were significantly enhanced in controls. There was no significant difference in