[Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-19 in the human cornea. Wound healing in the MMP-19 knock-out mouse model].
BACKGROUND
At present there are no data in the literature on the expression of matrix metalloprotein-19 in the human cornea. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-19 in the human cornea and to investigate its potential role in corneal wound healing using a MMP-19 knock-out mouse model.


METHODS
A method with Western blotting and immunohistological staining for MMP-19 was performed using paraffin embedded human corneas. Excimer laser keratectomy was performed in wild type (wt) and MMP-19 knock-out (ko) mice and the rate of re-epithelialization was analyzed after 8 h and 18 h.


RESULTS
MMP-19 was strongly expressed in the human corneal epithelium mainly in the basal cell layer. MMP-19 was not expressed in the corneal stroma. In the mouse model the size of the corneal lesion after 8 h was 83% (wt) and 89.9% (ko) of the initial area (p=0.09). After 18 h the lesion was 17% (wt) and 13.3% (ko) of the initial area (p=0.01). Laminin-5 was expressed in the migrating epithelial cells with no differences between wild type and knock-out mouse.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-19 showed a strong expression in the basal cells of the human corneal epithelium. Corneal re-epithelialization was slightly faster in the MMP-19 knock-out mouse. No differences in the expression of laminin-5 could be detected.
Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany. ftreumer@auge.uni-kiel.de
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Treumer
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Flöhr
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Klettner
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Nölle
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Roider
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted; C108362:matrix metalloproteinase 19