Gelatinase B and A expression after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression of gelatinases in the corneal epithelium and stroma after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Rabbit eyes were treated with LASIK (n=11), PRK (n=12), or corneal flap construction (n=12); 4 eyes served as unwounded controls. Zymography was performed on the central epithelium and the stroma 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery to determine the expression of gelatinases.


RESULTS
Epithelial expression of gelatinase B in the LASIK group (0%-25%) was lower than that in the PRK group at all time points (50%-100%) and was identical to the corneal flap group. Stromal expression of gelatinases A and B was similar after LASIK and PRK, but was minimal after corneal flap construction at all time points. Epithelial expression of gelatinase A was similar for the first 3 days after LASIK and PRK but not thereafter.


CONCLUSIONS
Gelatinase B epithelial expression was up-regulated after PRK but not after LASIK. Gelatinase B stromal expression was up-regulated after both procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in wound healing and subepithelial scarring after these 2 procedures may be related to gelatinase B.
Azar
D T
DT
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston 02114, USA. Dimitri_Azar@meei.harvard.edu
Pluznik
D
D
Jain
S
S
Khoury
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000601:surgery; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011817:Rabbits; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014945:Wound Healing
D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9