title: Overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-3 in superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the presentations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) with typical redundant superior conjunctiva.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight surgical specimens from medically refractory SLK patients were examined. Another nine conjunctival specimens from patients who underwent cataract and retinal surgery served as controls. Expression of RNA and proteins of MMPs and TIMPs in conjunctival specimens and cultured conjunctival fibroblasts were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of mRNA of MMP-1 and -3 was detected in six and seven SLK patients, respectively, but was not detected in any case in the control group. IHC showed more prominent immunostaining of MMP-1 and -3 in the subepithelial stroma of the SLK patients than in the controls. After culturing, conjunctival fibroblasts of the SLK patients also shown apparent overexpression of MMP-1 and -3 compared with that in the controls. MMP-9 was not detected in both groups. MMP-2 and TIMP-1 and -2 were detected in some cases in both groups without a statistically significant difference between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overexpression of MMP-1 and -3 was found in surgical specimens and cultured conjunctival fibroblasts from SLK patients. MMP imbalance may contribute to SLK pathogenesis. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00167050.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Cheng-Hsiang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Wei-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fung-Rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000201:enzymology*; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1