Expression and significance of transforming growth factor-beta1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its inhibitor in lens epithelial cells of diabetic cataract

• Published in: Chung-hua yen k'o tsa chih Vol. 39; no. 7; p. 411
• Main Authors: Xu, Guo-xing, Hu, Jian-zhang, Zheng, Wei-dong, Zhang, Sheng, Wang, Ting-ting
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.07.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Cataract - metabolism; Diabetes Complications - metabolism; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Female; Humans; Lens, Crystalline - cytology; Lens, Crystalline - metabolism; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - biosynthesis; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - biosynthesis; Transforming Growth Factor beta - biosynthesis; Transforming Growth Factor beta1
• ISSN: 0412-4081

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. 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). 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. 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.