Abstract
Purpose: :
Rodents glaucoma models become of widespread use. In such species though, uveoscleral pathway function remains partially unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 topography of expression and activation within rat ciliary muscle following latanoprost treatment.
Methods: :
A single dose of 500 ng of latanoprost (Xalatan®) or vehicle was applied topically in right eye of albino rats (wistar). Ocular biospecimen were collected at different time-points after instillation. MMP-2, MMP-9 expression and gelatinolytic activity were assessed on frozen sections by immunohistochemistry and in situ zymography, respectively.
Results: :
Latanoprost treatment enhanced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the sclera and in area adjacent to the ciliary muscle 24 hours after instillation. An increase of gelatinolytic activity was observed in colocalisation with MMP-9 expression.
Conclusions: :
Latanoprost induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activation within rat during uveoscleral pathway regulation. In situ assessment of MMPs expression and activation in response to latanoprost contributed to a better understanding of rodents uveoscleral pathway regulation, which would be relevant and well correlated with human pathology.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry • glycoconjugates/glycoproteins • gene/expression