Role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in the development of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy represents the most common causes of vision loss in patients affected by diabetes mellitus. The cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy is complex and remains incompletely understood. One of the earliest changes in the development of retinopathy is the accelerated apoptosis of retinal microvascular cells and the formation of acellular capillaries by unknown mechanism. Results of a recent research suggest an important role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the development of diabetic retinopathy. MMPs are a large family of proteinases that remodel extracellular matrix components, and under pathological condition, its induction is considered as a negative regulator of cell survival; and in diabetes, latent MMPs are activated in the retina and its capillary cells, and activation of MMP-2 and -9 induces apoptosis of retinal capillary cells. This review will focus on the MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the diabetic retina with special reference to oxidative stress, mitochondria dysfunction, inflammation and angiogenesis, as well as summarizing the current information linking these proteins to pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

Inhibition by Female Sex Hormones of Collagen Gel Contraction Mediated by Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

“…44 Matrix metalloproteinases also contribute to wound healing in the eye and to retinal disease, 45 with MMP-2 and MMP-9 having been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. 46,47 We found that the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by TGF-b2 in RPE cells was inhibited by female sex hormones. Our results thus suggest that female sex hormones might attenuate ECM production and degradation associated with PVR.…”

Circulating Biomarkers of Diabetic Retinopathy: An Overview Based on Physiopathology

“…In DR the balance between MMPs and TIMPs is impaired and increased levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 are found in the retina and vitreous. MMPs appear to play a multiple role, being proapoptotic, proinflammatory, and proangiogenic, and MMP-9 seems to act as a modulator of inflammation in the pathophysiology of DR [ 76 , 77 ]. Furthermore, increased MMPs may be implicated in the disruption of the blood retinal barrier (BRB), an early event in the development of DR [ 77 ].…”

Comparative in vitro/theoretical studies on the anti-angiogenic activity of date pollen hydro-alcoholic extract: Highlighting the important roles of its hot polyphenols

“… 52 The signaling pathways for these genes suggested that they are directly involved in the expression of VEGF-A to induce the inflammation and angiogenesis. 53 Different factors including cytokines, growth factors and mechanical stress can regulate or activate MMPs. 54 , 55 VEGF is a potent enhancer to release the MMP-2 and MMP-9 by endothelial cells and induces the vascular permeability to allow the permeation of plasma proteins ( e.g .…”