Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) following murine optic nerve injury.
Methods: :
Meningeal sparing optic nerve transection were performed in WT mice. Mice were sacrificed at week one and two, optic nerves were sectioned and confocal immolocalization was performed for MMP-2, -3, -7 and -14, myelin basic protein (MBP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Optic nerve regeneration was examined in wild type and MMP-7 knock-out mice using DiI tracing.
Results: :
Immunostaining revealed that MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-14 were localized in the meningeal layers of mouse optic nerve, while MMP-7 was localized within the optic nerve. MMP-7 expression was increased following optic nerve injury. Double labeling indicated that MMP-7 is not expressed in oligodendrocytes, but may be expressed in astrocytes. DiI tracing revealed regeneration of some retinal ganglion cell axons.
Conclusions: :
MMP-7 expression is increased after optic nerve transection suggesting a role for MMPs in scar formation and/or axonal regeneration following optic nerve injury.
Keywords: optic nerve • neuro-ophthalmology: optic nerve