Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: It has been recently shown that amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) improves experimental herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 (HSV-1) ulcerative keratitis. This study now investigated the influence of AMT on metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in this disease. Methods:BALB/c mice were infected with 105 PFU of HSV-1 (KOS strain). On day 14p.i., mice with corneal ulcers were selected. While the corneas of mice in group 1 were covered with AMT, group 2 received a tarsorrhaphy. Two days later, the mice were examined for the clinical signs of HSV keratitis, and the eyes were enucleated. The corneas were analyzed immunohistochemically with antibodies directed against MMP-2, -8 and -9, and TIMP-1 and -2, and by zymography and Western blot. Results: On day 14 pi, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were expressed in the epithelium and stroma at the ulcers. Gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities, and the active forms of MMP-2, -8 and -9 and TIMP-2 were detected in the corneas. Compared with mice from group 2, ulcerative keratitis markedly improved in the group 1 within 2 days. This was associated with a reduced expression and activity of MMPs, as detected by immunohistochemistry and by zymography. Conclusion: Amniotic membrane transplantation promotes rapid improvement of HSV-1 induced ulcerative keratitis. This may be at least in part by a decreased expression and activity of MMPs.
Keywords: 425 herpes simplex virus • 370 cornea: basic science • 435 immunomodulation/immunoregulation