title: [Expression of matrix metalloproteinase in human pterygia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the cellular distribution and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human pterygium.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative gelatinase zymography from 27 pterygia (26 cases, 18 eyes in stationary pterygia and 9 eyes in progressive pterygia) and 6 normal conjunctival specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-2 was expressed in all pterygium examined, specifically localized to the epithelium. MMP-9 was the most abundant in pterygium vascular endothelium and inflammatory cell. MMP-2 levels were no difference between the stationary pterygia [(235+/-18.17) scanning units] and the progressive pterygia [(221+/-22.53) scanning units]. MMP-9 levels in the progressive pterygia [(159+/-19.28) scanning units] were significantly higher than that in the stationary pterygia [(46+/-32.21) scanning units] (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation located the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in pterygium of the human eyes. These enzymes may be responsible for the progression of pterygia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011 , China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Deyong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xiangping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Luosheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000201:enzymology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9