Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8, MMP-9) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) in patients with fungal keratitis.

PURPOSE: To study the infiltrating cells and quantify the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) in the cornea, tear, and serum of patients with fungal keratitis.

METHODS: Experimental study. Infected corneal tissue from 4 patients with fungal keratitis (group 1) scheduled to undergo therapeutic keratoplasty accounted for the histopathologic and cytospin smear analysis. Ten patients with fungal keratitis from group 2 served for the quantification of MMPs and TIMPs. Five patients with keratoconus undergoing penetrating keratoplasty and 5 cadaver corneas were chosen as controls for group 2. Corneal buttons obtained during keratoplasty, 15 to 20 microL of tears collected using the capillary flow method, and 3 mL of blood was obtained from patients with fungal keratitis and patients with keratoconus. Corneal button sections from group 1 were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Grocott methenamine silver nitrate for the histopathologic studies and Giemsa staining for the cytospin smear analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the quantification of total MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the corneal homogenates, tear, and serum samples of group 2.

RESULTS: Corneal sections from group 1 revealed dense fungal filaments and a large proportion (91.4% +/- 38%) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Significant elevation in the levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 (P < 0.05) in the fungal keratitis corneas was observed in group 2 compared with the cadaver and keratoconus corneas. The ratio of MMP/TIMP was also higher in the fungal keratitis corneas.

CONCLUSIONS: Infiltrating PMNs in the cornea of patients with fungal keratitis contributed to the increased activities of MMP-8 and MMP-9, thereby enhancing tissue destruction and derangement.