Bioluminescence Imaging of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 and -9 Activities in Ethanol-injured Cornea of Mice

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to examine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activation in the development and healing of ethanol-induced damage in the cornea of mice.

Materials and methods: Mouse corneal injury was induced by topical treatment with 20% ethanol. BLI was obtained from the ocular region of mice intravenously injected with an active-MMP-2/9 probe. In vivo results were validated in primary corneal epithelial cells.

Results: BLI indicated that treatment of the eye with 20% ethanol elevated MMP-2/9 activity, which was inhibited by the application of eye drops (hyaluronic acid and serum). Treatment of corneal epithelial cells with 20% ethanol-increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which were also inhibited by eye drops.

Conclusion: BLI can be applied in vivo in mice with corneal injury to examine the activity of MMPs and clarify the efficacy of eye drops.