Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase concentrations in precorneal tear film from dogs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the changes in concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the precorneal tear film of dogs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated keratitis during corneal healing and stromal remodeling.


METHODS
10 dogs with unilateral P aeruginosa-associated keratitis and 10 clinically normal dogs.


METHODS
Precorneal tear film samples were collected from both eyes of 10 dogs with unilateral P aeruginosa-associated keratitis on the day of admission to the hospital and then at various time points until complete healing of the cornea was achieved. Precorneal tear film samples were also collected from both eyes of 10 clinically normal adult dogs (control group). Concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in precorneal tear film samples from each group were determined via gelatin zymography for comparison.


RESULTS
The proteolytic processes in the ulcerated eyes decreased as corneal healing progressed. On the day of admission, concentrations of latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ulcerated eyes were significantly higher than values in the contralateral unaffected eyes in dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis; concentrations of latent MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also greater than control group values. Concentrations of latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the healed eyes of dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis were significantly lower than concentrations in the ulcerated eyes on the day of admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that reduction of precorneal tear film concentrations of MMPs by use of proteinase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis.
Wang
Li
L
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, No. 2 Yuanming Yuan Xi Lu, Beijing 100094, China.
Pan
Qingshan
Q
Xue
Qin
Q
Cui
Jun
J
Qi
Changming
C
D000818:Animals; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D014945:Wound Healing
D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9