
Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity reverses corneal endothelial-mesenchymal transition.
Ex vivo culture or regeneration of corneal endothelial cells often is subjected to gradual endothelial-mesenchymal transition and loss of function. Here, we found that during ex vivo culture, bovine corneal endothelial cells underwent endothelial-mesenchymal transition and had an up-regulated expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity in confluent bovine corneal endothelial cells decreased the level of endothelial-mesenchymal transition regulators: snail and slug. The phosphorylation and degradation of the key Wnt signaling pathway modulator active β-catenin also were accelerated with the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor Marimastat, which may result from decreased N-cadherin shedding and increased intact N-cadherin molecules on the cell membrane. Intracameral injection of Marimastat also suppressed basic fibroblast growth factor-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition in a rat corneal endothelium cryo-injury model and significantly diminished the corneal edema. Our study indicated that inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity can reverse endothelial-mesenchymal transition and preserve the function of corneal endothelial cells both during ex vivo culture and in vivo. This may offer a potential therapeutic target in regenerative medicine for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunctions.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Wnt Signaling Pathway
- Up-Regulation
- Transcription Factors
- Snail Family Transcription Factors
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats
- Phosphorylation
- Pathology
- Matrix Metalloproteinases
- Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Wnt Signaling Pathway
- Up-Regulation
- Transcription Factors
- Snail Family Transcription Factors
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats
- Phosphorylation
- Pathology
- Matrix Metalloproteinases
- Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors