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Abstract #8722 Published in IGR 5-1
Expression and distribution of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the human iris and ciliary body
Lan J; Kumar RK; Di Girolamo N; McCluskey P; Wakefield DBritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2003; 87: 208-211
AIM: To determine the expression and distribution of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in the normal human iris and ciliary body. METHODS: Seven postmortem human eyes were fixed with formalin. The iris and ciliary body were dissected out and embedded in paraffin. The expression of MMPs -1, 2, 3, and 9, and TIMPs 1-4 in the iris and ciliary body was determined by a novel immunofluorescence technique and the results graded by masked observers. RESULTS: Positive staining for MMPs and TIMPs was observed in all regions of the anterior uvea, and was more intense in the ciliary body than in the iris. Most MMPs and TIMPs showed similar patterns in their distribution. In the ciliary body, staining was strongest in the epithelium, and was localized to the epithelial cell cytoplasm, except for TIMP-3 which was strongly expressed in the basement membranes. In the iris, staining was most noticeable in the anterior border and anterior epithelial layer. Blood vessels in the stroma of the iris and ciliary body also stained moderately for MMPs and TIMPs. CONCLUSIONS: Both MMPs and TIMPs are widely expressed in the anterior uvea, with a positive correlation between their expressions. Their differential localization in the ciliary body suggests that they may have a role in maintaining homeostasis in the uveal tract.
Dr Denis Wakefield, Department of Pathology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia. d.wakefield@unsw.edu.au
Classification:
2.8 Iris (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
2.9 Ciliary body (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
3 Laboratory methods
