Relationship of MMP-2 and TGF-β2 levels in human vitreous with axial length

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the relationship of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) levels in human vitreous with axial length (AL) of patients with high myopia. METHODS: The concentrations of MMP-2 and TGF-β2 levels were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA). Fifty-five human vitreous samples of 55 patients were collected during vitrectomy surgery, and were divided into two groups according to their spherical equivalent (SE) and AL. High myopia group (25 cases): AL≥26.00 mm, and control group or non-high myopia group (30 cases): AL<26.00 mm. RESULTS: The MMP-2 levels in vitreous of high myopia group (96.87±55.95 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that of control group (77.24±41.81 ng/mL, P<0.05), but not correlated with AL (r=0.088, P=0.544). While the vitreous TGF-β2 concentration was negatively correlated with AL (r=-0.344, P=0.014), and there was significant difference of TGF-β2 vitreous levels between high myopia group (3729.08±1890.88 pg/mL) and control group (3926.00± 1333.88 pg/mL, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: MMP-2 and TGF-β2 in human vitreous may play a critical role in human high myopia development, and the TGF-β2 appears to be associated with AL.