Conjunctival matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in glaucoma patients. (13th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Helin‐Toiviainen, Minna; Rönkkö, Seppo; Puustjärvi, Tuomo; Rekonen, Petri; Ollikainen, Minna; Uusitalo, Hannu
• Is Part Of: Acta ophthalmologica. Volume 93:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2014-10-13
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1111/aos.12550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-375X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aos12550-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="aos12550-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>Chronic conjunctival inflammation, caused by various reasons, for example long‐term use of topical drugs and/or their preservatives, affects the outcome of glaucoma surgery by interfering with wound healing. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) remodel extracellular matrix (ECM) and are involved in the wound healing process. This study was designed to evaluate the conjunctival expression of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the normal eye, primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (ExG) and whether there is an association between staining intensities and deep sclerectomy outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12550-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Immunohistochemical procedures were performed on conjunctival samples which were obtained from POAG (<italic>n</italic> = 11) and ExG (<italic>n</italic> = 14) patients as well as normal (<italic>n</italic> = 7) subjects. Antibodies against MMPs (MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐9) and TIMPs (TIMP‐1, ‐2 and ‐3) were used.</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12550-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In conjunctival stroma, expression levels of MMP‐2 (p = 0.047), MMP‐3 (p = 0.009), MMP‐9 (p < 0.001), TIMP‐1 (p = 0.003), TIMP‐2 (p < 0.001) and TIMP‐3 (p < 0.001) in ExG and MMP‐9 (p = 0.008), TIMP‐2 (p = 0.02) and TIMP‐3 (p = 0.002) in POAG were significantly increased compared to control. We further found correlations between expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 and the length of pilocarpine treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="aos12550-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The expression of MMPs and TIMPs is increased in the conjunctiva of POAG and ExG patients having a long history of topical antiglaucoma drops. Antiglaucoma agents and/or their preservatives alter the remodelling balance of ECM in conjunctiva of POAG and ExG eyes. The balance between MMPs and TIMPs may play a crucial role in the conjunctival wound healing process and the outcome of glaucoma surgery.</p> </sec> </abstract>