Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase in human ocular tissues.
OBJECTIVE
Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) (MMP-14) (EC 3.4.24.xx) is involved in the activation of progelatinase A (MMP-2) (EC 3.4.24.24). MMP-2 is present at least in the interphotoreceptor matrix and vitreous. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of MT1-MMP, and MMP-2, in human ocular tissues.


METHODS
The distribution of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 was investigated in vitreous and in membrane extracts from eye tissues obtained from postmortem human eyebank eyes. Western blot analysis was performed using mouse monoclonal anti-MT1-MMP and anti-MMP-2 antibodies.


RESULTS
MT1-MMP was found in sclera, cornea, lens, choroid, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina. MMP-2 was found in sclera, cornea, choroid, vitreous, RPE and retina but was absent from lens.


CONCLUSIONS
We provide the first evidence for the presence and distribution of membrane-type-1 matrix metalloproteinase in human ocular tissues. MT1-MMP may be responsible for the activation of progelatinase A in many ocular extracellular matrices in a manner similar to that exhibited in other systems.
Smine
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-5068, USA.
Plantner
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D005123:Eye / Q000201:enzymology*; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C507096:Mmp14 protein, mouse; D018093:Gelatinases; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14