OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in human Lens epithelial cells (LEC) of diabetic cataract. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of TGF-beta(1), MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the diabetic LEC (23 cases) and the normal LEC (7 cases). RESULTS: There was significant difference of expression of MMP-2 and TGF-beta(1) between diabetic LEC and normal LEC (P < 0.01). But there was no statistic significance for TIMP-2 expression (P > 0.05). There was correlation between the expression of TGF-beta(1) and MMP-2. CONCLUSION: The imbalance induced by TGF-beta(1) between the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 may play a critical role in the pathological fibrosis of anterior and posterior subcapsular during the development of diabetic cataract.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in human Lens epithelial cells (LEC) of diabetic cataract. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of TGF-beta(1), MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the diabetic LEC (23 cases) and the normal LEC (7 cases). RESULTS: There was significant difference of expression of MMP-2 and TGF-beta(1) between diabetic LEC and normal LEC (P < 0.01). But there was no statistic significance for TIMP-2 expression (P > 0.05). There was correlation between the expression of TGF-beta(1) and MMP-2. CONCLUSION: The imbalance induced by TGF-beta(1) between the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 may play a critical role in the pathological fibrosis of anterior and posterior subcapsular during the development of diabetic cataract.