Purpose. Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) (MMP-14) (
EC 3.4.24.xx) is involved in the activation of progelatinase A (MMP-2)
(EC 3.4.24.24). MMP-2 is present at least in the interphotoreceptor m
atrix and vitreous. The purpose of this study was to determine the dis
tribution of MT1-MMP, and MMP-2, in human ocular tissues. Methods. The
distribution of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 was investigated in vitreous and in
membrane extracts from eye tissues obtained from postmortem human eye
bank eyes. Western blot analysis was performed using mouse monoclonal
anti-MT1-MMP and anti-MMP-2 antibodies. Results. MT1-MMP was found in
sclera, cornea, lens, choroid, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and re
tina. MMP-2 was found in sclera, cornea, choroid, vitreous, RPE and re
tina but was absent from lens. Conclusion. We provide the first eviden
ce for the presence and distribution of membrane-type-1 matrix metallo
proteinase in human ocular tissues. MT1-MMP may be responsible for the
activation of progelatinase A in many ocular extracellular matrices i
n a manner similar to that exhibited in other systems.