Abstract

DO.02.05

Expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-19 in the human cornea and wound healing in the MMP-19 knock-out mouse

Treumer F.¹, Sedlacek R.², Klettner A.¹, Nölle B.¹, Flöhr C.¹, Roider J.^1
1Augenklinik des Universitätsklinikums Schleswig Holstein, Campus Kiel; ²Institut für Biochemie des Universitätsklinikums Schleswig Holstein, Campus Kiel

Objective: To demonstrate the expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-19 in the human cornea and to investigate its potential role in corneal wound healing in the MMP-19 knock-out mouse.
Methods: After explantation and paraffin-fixation immuno(fluorescence)-staining for MMP-19 was performed in 5 human corneas with keratokonus and two normal corneas. To investigate corneal wound healing we performed excimer-laser keratectomy in wild type (wt) and MMP-19 knock-out (ko) mice (ablation: 45 µm, diameter: 1.5mm). We analysed the rate of re-epithelialisation after 8h and 18h. Immunhistochemistry was performed after 5 days.
Results: MMP-19 shows a strong expression in the basal cells of the human corneal epithelium and weak staining in the suprabasal cell layers. We did not detect MMP-19 in the corneal stroma. In the mouse model the corneal erosion after 8h was 89,9% (wt) and 83% (ko) of the initial area (p=0,09). After 18h the erosion was 17% (wt) and 13.3% (ko) of the initial area (p=0,01).
Conclusions: MMP-19 shows a strong expression in the basal cells of the human corneal epithelium. Corneal re-epithelialisation was faster in the MMP-19 knock-out mouse compared to the wild type. MMP-19 could play a role in corneal wound healing.

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