MEMBRANE TYPE-1 MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE IN HUMAN OCULAR-TISSUES

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.