title: Hyaluronic acid increases MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions in cultured trabecular meshwork cells from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A depletion of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients' eyes may be associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), but the exact mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the effect of HA on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in cultured trabecular meshwork cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trabecular meshwork cells were cultured from trabecular tissues obtained from the POAG patients aged 23 to 45. The mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by gelatin zymography analysis and qualified by the gel electrophoresis image analysis in different HA concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by the two methods significantly increased with HA concentration in a dose-response manner. Mean values of the MMP-2 expression by the gelatin zymography analysis were 176, 264, 353, and 448 mg/ml, and mean values of the MMP-9 expression were 547, 659, 895, and 1,147 mg/ml, for HA concentration level of 0, 1, 3, and 6 mg/ml, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In POAG trabecular meshwork cells, the level of HA concentration increases the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The lack of HA in aqueous humor can result in a reduction in activities of MMPs and therefore may be involved in the pathogenesis of POAG.
authors.affiliation: Second Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
authors.forename: Mao-Sheng
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Yu-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zong-Bao
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9