Assessment Of The Concentrations Of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 And Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 In The Corneal Epithelium In Patients With Recurrent Corneal Erosions Related To Prior Corneal Trauma
Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PP02.18 | DOI: 10.82333/e8cg-6b07
Authors: Katarzyna Jadczyk-Sorek* 1 , Beata Bubała-Stachowicz 2 , Ewa Mrukwa-Kominek 1
1Ophthalmology,Medical University of Silesia, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice,Katowice,Poland;Ophthalmology,Professor K. Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland, 2Ophthalmology,Professor K. Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland
Assessment of the differences in the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-3 in the corneal epithelium between patients with recurrent corneal erosions caused by injury and patients with stable epithelial-stromal interface.
Matrix metalloproteinases are a group of proteolytic enzymes. They have the ability to degrade the elements of the extracellular matrix which contribute to faster cell migration and the release of molecules whose extracellular matrix is a reservoir. It is suspected that increased concentration of matrix metalloproteinases in patients after corneal microinjury can cause instability of corneal epithelium and have influence on recurrent corneal erosions.
The study group included patients with recurrent corneal erosions acquired due to injury qualified for the phototherapeutic keratectomy procedure (n=34 eyes). The control group included people with a stable epithelial-stromal interface who underwent Epi-Bowman Keratectomy (n=65 eyes). Matrix metalloproteinases concentration was determined by immunohistochemical method using Human Magnetic Luminex® Assay.
Assessment of the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-3 in the corneal epithelium revealed: (1) statistically significant higher concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the group of patients with injury related recurrent corneal erosions compared to the control group; (2) statistically significantly higher concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in the group of patients with injury related recurrent corneal erosions compared to the control group.
The results can prove that after injury the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-3 which having the ability to dissolve anchoring fibers and the corneal epithelial basement membrane increase and could be responsible for recurrent corneal erosions.