Correlation of metalloproteinase-2 and -9 with proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß, interleukin-12 and the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in patients with chronic uveitis

Purpose. Matrix metalloproteinases have been shown to play a role in active uveitis. Transcription of MMPs is induced by a number of growth factors and cytokines. This study investigates the role of MMPs in chronic uveitis and correlates the amounts of MMP-2 and -9 in intraocular samples to the intraocular levels of proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-1 [IL-1], Interleukin-12 [IL-12] and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1ra]). Methods. Aqueous humor of 16 patients was collected during surgical or diagnostic procedures (control group: cataract patients). MMP-2 and -9 were measured using zymography. IL-1s, IL-12 and IL-1ra were evaluated by ELISA. Results. We found MMP-2 and -9 in all of our uveitis patients. In the control group only MMP-2 was seen. Higher levels of MMP-2 and -9 were found in patients with higher activity of uveitis (p < 0.014 for MMP-2, p < 0.0054 for MMP-9). The amounts of IL-1s, IL-12 and IL-1ra detected in our uveitis patients correlated with levels of MMP-2 (p < 0.07,...