Platelet-activating factor induces the expression of metalloproteinases-1 and -9, but not -2 or -3, in the corneal epithelium.

PURPOSE

The inflammatory mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces the expression of interstitial collagenase (metalloproteinase-1) messenger RNA in rabbit corneal epithelium. In this study, the authors investigated the effect of PAF on gene expression and protein activity of other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the cornea.

METHODS

Rabbit corneas were incubated in an organ culture with 100 nM of cPAF (a nonhydrolyzable PAF analog), PAF, or lyso-PAF, an inactive metabolite of PAF. In some experiments, the corneas were preincubated for 1 hour with 10 microM BN50730, a PAF antagonist, before cPAF was added to the medium. Corneal epithelial cells and/or conditioned medium were collected at different times for analysis. Also, in vivo experiments were done by injecting 2 micrograms of cPAF intrastromally into rabbit eyes and collecting the epithelium 8 hours later for study. Northern blot analysis and zymography were performed to determine the mRNA abundance and/or enzyme activity of 92 kd gelatinase (MMP-9), 72 kd gelatinase (MMP-2), and stromelysin (MMP-3). The activity of MMP-1 was tested by collagenase assays.

RESULTS

cPAF induced the expression of MMP-9 mRNA, but not MMP-3 mRNA. The message was induced at 4 hours and remained elevated at 48 hours, with a peak at 36 hours. In corneas preincubated with BN50730, MMP-9 mRNA activation by cPAF was inhibited. In vivo injection of cPAF also induced the expression of MMP-9. Furthermore, cPAF increased MMP-9 activity in the epithelial cells and in the conditioned media. The effect was blocked by BM50730. cPAF did not affect MMP-2 activity. Finally, cPAF also increased MMP-1 collagenolytic activity of the corneal epithelium, which was blocked by the PAF antagonist.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a novel mechanism by which PAF activates MMPs. The lipid mediator selectively enhances the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in rabbit corneal epithelium. This activation by PAF may be involved in the remodeling mechanisms of the cornea after injury and, when overexpressed, may lead to the formation of corneal ulcers. Specific PAF antagonists could therapeutically deter corneal ulcer formation and facilitate corneal wound healing.