Objectives: To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in rabbit corneas implanted with modified titanium skirt of keratoprosthesis in order to explore the potential roles.
Methods: A total of 20 New Zealand white rabbits with corneal alkali burn in right eye rabbit corneas were divided into three groups. There were 6 animals in each group. Skirt of hydroxyapatite/Sandblast-Titanium and Sandblast-Titanium were inserted into the corneal stroma of rabbits in group A and group B. The group C did not insert skirt as surgical control.2 rabbits were as normal control D group. A total of 20 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups with the same way. The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry at 1 month, 3 months. The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA level was determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction, and its protein level was determined by western blot. The optical cylinder was implanted to rabbit corneas, which were implanted with modified titanium skirt after 3 months.
Results: There was one case of corneal dissolution being found in group F. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 immunoreactivities were expressed in the normal corneas, predominantly in the corneal epithelium. After injury, immunoreactivities of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were increased notably in the healing corneal epithelium, infiltrating inflammatory cells, stromal fibroblasts and in growing vascular endothelial cells. The expression of MMP-2 was lower in group A and E than that in group B and F after 1 month and 3 months (t = 12.05, 2.93, 12.006, 3.781, P < 0.05). The Western blot revealed no significant differences of MMP-2 mRNA between group 3 months and 2 weeks (t = 2.104, P > 0.05); MMP-2 immunoreactivities were absent or lowly expressed predominantly in the corneal epithelium of normal corneas. The expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2 mRNA level was parallel that of protein level.
Conclusions: The expression of MMP-2 was lower in the corneal tissue sections of HA/SB-Ti skirt inserted eyes than that in the tissue sections of SB-Ti skirt inserted eyes. The studies of MMP-2, TIMP-2 can provide a new way to prevent the incidence of corneal dissolving after surgery for keratoprosthesis.