Activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in cultured rabbit corneal epithelium cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha.

We studied the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 generated by cultured rabbit corneal epithelium cells that had been stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), to investigate the possible regulative mechanisms of MMP-2/9 and their potential effect on corneal inflammatory diseases. The rabbit corneal epithelium cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with different concentrations of TNF-α (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) for 24 h. The activity of MMP-2/9 was examined using gelatin zymography. The results were analyzed by computer image analysis and statistical tests. TNF-α stimulated the secretion of MMP-2/9 in a dose-dependent manner, and MMP-2 was activated by TNF-α. Inflammatory factors such as TNF-α can stimulate MMP-2/9 activity in corneal epithelium cells. This may be a potential manipulating mechanism of MMP expression in the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, and could play an important role in the prevention and treatment of corneal inflammatory diseases.