title: Mechanism of basement membrane dissolution preceding corneal ulceration.
abstract: In animal models for corneal ulceration, the degradation of extracellular matrix components of the stroma does not occur until after the basement membrane underlying the corneal epithelium has disappeared. Using a thermal-burn model, it was demonstrated that epithelial basement membrane is degraded actively by products of corneal cells in a process that does not require the participation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. A new gelatinolytic metalloproteinase, preliminarily identified as the matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-9, is synthesized and secreted by corneal cells with a timing appropriate for a role in basement membrane degradation. During healing of ulcers, when new matrix is being deposited actively in the burned tissue, a second new gelatinase appears in the cornea, preliminarily identified as a stable activated form of the matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-2. The timing of expression suggests a role for this enzyme in appropriate deposition and remodeling of new matrix in the regenerating corneal tissue.
authors.affiliation: Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zieske
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000201:enzymology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D018093:Gelatinases; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D010434:Pepsin A; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases