[Expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase in monkey trabecular meshwork cells and ciliary muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE

To identify tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) released by normal monkey trabecular meshwork cells and ciliary muscle cells in vitro and to detect the roles of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and TIMP playing in trabecular outflow and uveoscleral outflow in normal eyes.

METHODS

The expressions of TIMP and MMP in monkey trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle cultures were detected by the technology of reverse zymography.

RESULTS

(1) TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 were found in both trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle cultured cells. (2) The ratio of MMP/TIMP in trabecular meshwork cells was much higher than that in ciliary muscle cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The different ratio of MMP/TIMP in these two types of cells suggests that the capability of degrading extracellular matrix in trabecular meshwork cells be much higher than that in ciliary muscle cells, that may be one of the reasons why conventional trabecular outflow is stronger than uveoscleral outflow.