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The effect of UVA and UVB irradiation of the rabbit cornea on matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 expression in the corneal epithelium
Author(s) -
ARDAN T,
CEJKOVA J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.546.x
Subject(s) - matrix metalloproteinase , cornea , corneal epithelium , epithelium , stromal cell , immunohistochemistry , extracellular matrix , pathology , matrix (chemical analysis) , chemistry , biology , medicine , ophthalmology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , chromatography
Purpose Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) synthetisized by corneal cells are primarily responsible for degrading and remodeling corneal stromal extracellular matrix. They participate in various pathophysiological processes in the cornea, including corneal wound healing and ocular diseases. Purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of UVA and UVB rays on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐2 and MMP‐9) in the corneal epithelium. Methods In the first group of rabbits the corneas were irradiated with UVA lamp (365 nm, once a day during 4 days, a dose per day 1.01 J/cm2 ). In the second group of rabbits the corneas were irradiated with UVB lamp (312 nm, once a day during 4 days, a dose per day 1.01 J/cm2). Matrix metalloproteinases MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were examined on cryostat sections immunohistochemically using mouse monoclonal anti‐MMP‐2 and anti‐MMP‐9 antibodies. Results Immunohistochemical examination showed that UVA rays did not change the expression of MMPs studied in the corneal epithelium. In contrast, UVB rays induced the increased expression of MMPs in corneal epithelial cells. From both enzymes investigated in corneas irradiated with UVB rays the expression of MMP‐9 was more pronounced than the expression of MMP‐2. Conclusion Comparing the effect of the same doses of UVA and UVB rays on the normal rabbit cornea, UVB rays /not UVA rays/ evoked the increased expression of MMPs in the corneal epithelium. To investigate the importance of these findings is the aim of our next study.