TGF-beta1 stimulates production of gelatinase (MMP-9), collagenases (MMP-1, -13) and stromelysins (MMP-3, -10, -11) by human corneal epithelial cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases. This study investigated the regulated expression of gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9), collagenases (MMP-1 and -13) and stromelysins (MMP-3, -10, and -11) by TGF-beta1 in cultured human corneal epithelial cells. Primary human corneal epithelial cell cultures were grown to confluence and treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1.0, 10 ng ml(-1)) of TGF-beta1 in serum-free medium for 6-24 hr. Total RNA was isolated from cultured cells with or without TGF-beta1 treatment for 6 hr and subjected to semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern hybridization. Conditioned media were collected from cultures with or without TGF-beta1 treatment for 24 hr to evaluate the MMP production by ELISA and activity assays. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the expressions of MMP-9, -1, -13, -3, -10 and -11 mRNA were up-regulated by TGF-beta1 in a concentration-dependent fashion, while MMP-2 and MMP-14 production did not change. Northern hybridization confirmed these findings. Gelatin zymography, MMP ELISA and activity assays showed concentration-dependent stimulated production and activity of MMP-9, -1, -13, -3 and -10 protein in the conditioned media of cultures treated for 24 hr with TGF-beta1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TGF-beta1 stimulates the expression and production of gelatinase (MMP-9), collagenases (MMP-1, -13) and stromelysins (MMP-3, -10, -11) in human corneal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that TGF-beta1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of MMP mediated ocular surface diseases, such as sterile corneal ulceration.     

不同浓度多西环素对碱烧伤大鼠角膜中转化生长因子β1和基质金属蛋白酶9表达的影响

目的　探讨不同浓度多西环素对碱烧伤大鼠角膜中转化生长因子β1（transforming growth factor-β1，TGF-β1）和基质金属蛋白酶-9（matrix metalloproteinase-9，MMP-9）表达的影响及其调节作用。方法　SD大鼠右眼制备成角膜碱烧伤模型，随机分为对照组、0.5 g·L^-1多西环素组和1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组，每组15只。3组分别于造模后每天给予20 μL眼液溶媒、0.5 g·L^-1多西环素、1.0 g·L^-1多西环素滴眼至观察期末。于碱烧伤后第3天、第7天、第14天对角膜混浊程度进行评分，并行RT-PCR和ELISA检测角膜组织中TGF-β1、MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白的表达情况。结果　与对照组相比，碱烧伤后第7天、第14天，0.5 g·L^-1多西环素组［（2.80±0.45）分、（2.20±0.45）分］和1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组［（2.00±0.00）分、（0.60±0.55）分］角膜混浊程度评分降低，且1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组更低，差异均有统计学意义（均为P＜0.05）。碱烧伤后第3天、第7天、第14 天，0.5 g·L^-1多西环素组、1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组TGF-β1 mRNA及蛋白表达量均较对照组低，且1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组表达更低，差异均有统计学意义（均为P＜0.05）。碱烧伤后第3天、第7天，0.5 g·L^-1多西环素组、1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组MMP-9 mRNA及蛋白表达均较对照组低，且1.0 g·L^-1多西环素组表达更低，差异均有统计学意义（均为P＜0.05）。结论　多西环素可下调碱烧伤大鼠角膜中TGF-β1和MMP-9的表达，促进角膜愈合，并呈一定程度的剂量依赖性。