title: Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in surgically induced necrotizing scleritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis is primarily managed with immunosuppressive regimens. Such treatments can alter inflammatory cytokines and products such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which are an important proinflammatory cytokine and a tissue-degrading protease involved in necrosis of some ocular tissues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate TNF-alpha and MMP-9 in the tear or sclera of surgically induced necrotizing scleritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  After tear collection from healthy and diseased eyes of 2 patients, immunoblot analysis using monoclonal antibody specific for human TNF-alpha and MMP-9 was performed. In another patient, scleral tissues were obtained during scleral allograft surgery, and the same immunoblot analysis was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of TNF-alpha and MMP-9 was increased in tear fluid from patients compared to that of control volunteers and returned to the control level after treatment. The diseased sclera showed an increased expression of MMP-9 compared to that of the normal donor sclera.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNF-alpha and MMP-9 may suggest disease activity of surgically induced necrotizing scleritis and can be altered by proper immunosuppressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei Institute of Vision Research, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Yul
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Hyung Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eung Kweon
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joon H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012590:Sclera / Q000378:metabolism; D015423:Scleritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9