Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in normal feline eyes (N), feline eyes with uveitis (U), and feline eyes with uveitis and lens luxation (ULL).
Methods: :
Zymography, followed by densitometry, was performed on aqueous humor samples from 4 N, 3 U, and 3 ULL to determine expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 10 N, 10 U, and 10 ULL to evaluate the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the ciliary body and iris.
Results: :
MMP-2 and MMP-9 were present in aqueous humor from both normal and diseased eyes. U samples had an average of 1.44 fold increase in MMP-2 expression and an average of 1.25 fold increase in MMP-9 expression compared to N. ULL samples had an average 1.60 fold increase in MMP-2 expression and an average of 1.42 fold increase in MMP-9 expression compared to N. Immunohistochemistry revealed subjectively increased staining for both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ULL compared to both N and U samples.
Conclusions: :
Increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were found in aqueous humor samples of cats with uveitis and cats with uveitis and lens luxation as compared to normal samples. Increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was also found in the iris and ciliary body of cats with uveitis and lens luxation, as determined by immunohistochemistry. MMP’s may be involved with the degradation of ciliary zonules and contribute to the development of lens luxation in cats with uveitis.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model