Autophagy Mediates MMP-2 Expression in Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork Cells.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and starvation on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: Primary TM cells were cultured and divided into three groups. The control group was treated with a normal medium, the 3-MA group was stimulated with 3-MA, and the starvation group received nutrient depletion by replacing the normal media with Earle's balanced salt solution. Cellular mRNA and protein were measured at different 3-MA concentrations and starvation time periods. The level of autophagy was accessed by monodansylcadaverine fluorescent staining and expression of specific autophagy-related genes, light chain 3 (LC3), and Beclin1. The effects of 3-MA and starvation on cell proliferation were determined with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay kit. The mRNA and protein expression of LC3-II, Beclin1, and MMP-2 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Results: Compared to the control group, starvation significantly upregulated LC3-II and Beclin1 in TM cells after 3 h of stimulation, which peaked at 6 h and 9 h, respectively. Increased MDC-labeled cells were also observed. Starvation downregulated the expression of MMP-2. On the contrary, 3-MA suppressed the activation of autophagy, as shown by the marked downregulation of LC3-II and Beclin1. The expressions of MMP-2 were higher in the 3-MA group compared to the control group, reaching a peak at a concentration of 5 mM. Conclusion: Autophagy may be involved in the pathogenesis of POAG via regulating the expression of MMP-2 and, subsequently, the deposition of the extracellular matrix.

[Abnormal property of meibomian secretion and dry eye syndrome].

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between meibomian secretion and dry eye. METHODS: To observe 68 outpatients (136 eyes) consecutively. Routine check up included vision, anterior segment and fundus, scoring of tear break up time (BUT), Schirmer I test and rose bengal staining (rb). Recorded the property of meibomian secretion. Defined the dry eye as mild and severe. RESULTS: Meibomian secretion was sorted as egg-white-like secretion (n=28), milk-yellowish secretion (n=26), granular secretion (n=30) and toothpaste-like secretion (n=52). The result declared that BUT and rb scoring stepped up consecutively in the above secretions, that was higher in toothpaste-like secretion than in other groups (all P < 0.01). Schirmer I scoring was below 1 in all groups, and there was no difference in the groups. Fifty-four eyes (40%) met the criteria of dry eye syndrome. The incidence of dry eye stepped up in groups as egg-white-like secretion (2/28) 7.1%, milk-yellowish secretion (4/26) 15%, granular secretion (8/30) 27% and toothpaste-like secretion (40/52) 77%. The incidence was higher in granular secretion than in egg-white-like secretion (P < 0.05), while the incidence was higher in toothpaste-like secretion than in any of other 3 groups (P < 0.01). There was no severe dry eye in egg-white-like secretion and milk-yellowish secretion, while dry eye was found in 2 out of 8 in granular secretion, and in 19 out of 40 in toothpaste-like secretion. Incidence of severe dry eye was found higher in toothpaste-like secretion than in non toothpaste-like secretion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal meibomian secretion affects the stability of ocular surface. The patients with toothpaste-like secretion are prone to dry eye and tend to have a worse dry eye than other secretion groups.

[Combined 5-Fu and triamcinolone to treat the membrane on the anterior surface of intraocular lens after the surgery of traumatic cataract].

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of the means of subconjunctiva injection with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) and Triamcinolone to treat the membrane on the anterior surface of intraocular lens after traumatic cataract surgery. METHODS: The cases with membrane on the anterior surface of intraocular lens (MAI) after traumatic cataract surgery were observed. The control group included 49 eyes of 48 patients, and 52 eyes of 52 patients in therapeutic group. Subconjunctiva injection of 5-Fu and Triamcinolone treat MAI in therapeutic group. And that of Dexamethasone treat MAI in control group. RESULTS: The absorbed rate of MAI is 90.38% in therapeutic group,and that is 75.51% in control group. The vision of two groups was developed. And corneal epithelium erosion occurred in 6 eyes of therapeutic group. CONCLUSION: The therapy of 5-Fu and Triamcinolone to treat the MAI after traumatic cataract surgery is safe and effective.