Localization of TIMP-3 mRNA expression to the retinal pigment epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate ocular sites of expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene (TIMP-3).


METHODS
In situ hybridization was performed on frozen sections of albino mouse eyes using riboprobes generated to the 3' untranslated region of TIMP-3.


RESULTS
TIMP-3 mRNA expression was detected strongly in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and to a minor extent in the ciliary epithelium, but not at any other site within the eye.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of TIMP-3 in the RPE is consistent with the recent demonstration of TIMP-3 mutations in patients with Sorsby's fundus dystrophy, a condition marked by the early onset of choroidal neovascularization in the macula. Unlike many of the recently described genes that cause human retinal disease, TIMP-3 is preferentially expressed in the RPE of the normal eye, as opposed to the photoreceptors.
Della
N G
NG
Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-9289, USA.
Campochiaro
P A
PA
Zack
D J
DJ
D000417:Albinism; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3