Effects of Mechanical Stimulation on MMP-2 and TIMP-2 Expression of Scleral Fibroblasts after Posterior Sclera Reinforcement

Abstract

To understand the effect of mechanical stimulation on posterior sclera reinforcement (PSR), the rabbit scleral fibroblasts after PSR were subjected to stretch in vitro and MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression of scleral fibroblasts were evaluated. Three-week-old rabbits were monocularly performed by eyelid suturation randomly to prepare experimental myopia eye. After 60 days, the experimental myopia eyes were treated by PSR. After 6 months, the posterior pole scleral fibroblasts (normal sclera - group A, sclera after operation - group B and fusion region of sclera and reinforcing band group C) were isolated and cultured in vitro. The cells were subjected to cyclic stretch regimens (sine wave, 3% and 6% elongation amplitude, 0.1Hz, 48h duration) by FX-4000 Tension System. The MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression of scleral fibroblasts were evaluated by ELISA method. The results show that after cyclic stretch to the scleral fibroblasts of the normal sclera and the sclera after operation, the MMP-2 expression was significantly reduced and the TIMP-2 expression was significantly increased, the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression of the scleral fibroblasts of the fusion region after operation was no changed. It was indicated that the mechanical stimulation could regulate the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression of scleral fibroblasts and play an important role in the process of treating high myopia with PSR surgery.