Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of degradation of the extracellular matrix in the wound healing process after glaucoma filtration surgery and accordingly we examined protein expression, mRNA expression for Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), and localization of MMP activity and degrading activity. Methods: Filtration surgery was performed in rabbit under general anesthesia. The eyes of the rabbit were removed 1, 3, 7, 14 and 120 days after the surgery and used for this experiment. Protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical dyeing and mRNA expression by real–time RT–PCR. The activity was detected by gelatin zymography and the localization was demonstrated by means of film in situ zymography (FIZ). Results: Expression of MMP–1, MMP–2, MMP–3, MMP–9 and MT1–MMP was detected in the surgical wounds and it was most conspicuous in the wound 3 days after the surgery. Expression of MMP–9, MT1–MMP and mRNA was observed. Gelatinase activity corresponding to the latent form of MMP–2 was detected in the all groups of surgery and, strongly in the group of 3 days after the surgery, localization of the active form of MMP–2 and gelatin–degrading activity was detected. Conclusions: MMPs play important roles in the mechanism of degradation of the extracellular matrix in the wound healing process after glaucoma filtration surgery.
Keywords: wound healing • extracellular matrix