Effect of TNF-α on MMP-3 and MMP-9 expression in cultured human trabecular cells

Objective To understand the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in cultured human trabecular cells (HTCs). Methods HTCs were primarily cultured and subcultured. The 3rd passage cells were incubated with different dosages of TNF-α(0、1、10 and 25 ng/ml,final concentration,diluted by DMEM without serum ) for 48 hours.MMP-3 and MMP-9 were determined by immunocytochemical method. The result swere analyzed by the computer image analysis system and statistical test. Results The cultured HTCs expressed MMP-3 and MMP-9 . The mean gray scale of MMP-3 expressed by the HTCs treated with 0.0 ng/ml (control)、1 ng/ml、10 ng/ml、25 ng/ml TNF-α for 48h was 143.53±6.01、138.63±8.15、138.73±7.02、129.25±10.47,respectively.The difference between these 1 ng/ml、10 ng/ml、25 ng/ml TNF-α treated group and that of the control group was statistically significant. The mean gray scale of MMP-9 expressed by the HTCs treated with 0.0 ng/ml (control)、1 ng/ml、10 ng/ml、25 ng/ml TNF-α for 48h was 145.30±7.05、137.60±11.53、125.20±17.29、119.88±12.47,respectively. The difference between these 1 ng/ml、10 ng/ml、25 ng/ml TNF-αtreated group and that of the control group was statistically significant. Conclusion In certain extent,TNF-α can incease expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in cultured HTCs and increase the degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM) localized in trabecular meshwork and decrease the resistance of aqueous outflow,followed by IOP reduction.