HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fukuda, K. Articles by Nishida, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fukuda, K. Articles by Nishida, T.

Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Synthesis in Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts by Interleukin-4 or Interleukin-13

¹From the Departments of Biomolecular Recognition and Ophthalmology and ²Ocular Pathophysiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.

PURPOSE. Fibroproliferative lesions of the conjunctiva known as giant papillae are a characteristic of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). The abundance of T helper 2 (Th2) cells and cytokines is increased in the giant papillae and tear fluid of individuals with VKC, and the Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 each stimulate the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by conjunctival fibroblasts. The role of Th2 cytokines in the development of giant papillae was further examined by determination of the effects of these molecules on the production by conjunctival fibroblasts of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, a key enzyme in ECM degradation.

METHODS. The amount of MMP-3 released into the culture medium by human conjunctival fibroblasts was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the intracellular abundance of MMP-3 mRNA was quantitated by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Signaling by the transcription factors NF-B and AP-1 was evaluated by immunoblot and immunofluorescence analyses.

RESULTS. Of the Th2 cytokines tested, only IL-4 and -13 inhibited both the basal and IL-1ß–induced release of MMP-3 by conjunctival fibroblasts. These effects of IL-4 and -13 were inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to the IL-4 receptor complex. IL-4 and -13 also each reduced the basal abundance, as well as inhibited the IL-1ß–induced upregulation, of MMP-3 mRNA in these cells. Neither IL-4 nor -13 affected the IL-1ß–induced activation of NF-B or the AP-1 component c-Jun.

CONCLUSIONS. IL-4 and -13 each inhibit MMP-3 synthesis in human conjunctival fibroblasts, suggesting that these Th2 cytokines may contribute to the excessive deposition of ECM in giant papillae by preventing matrix degradation mediated by this enzyme.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Kondo, K. Fukuda, T. Adachi, and T. Nishida Inhibition by a Selective I{kappa}B Kinase-2 Inhibitor of Interleukin-1-Induced Collagen Degradation by Corneal Fibroblasts in Three-Dimensional Culture Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., November 1, 2008; 49(11): 4850 - 4857. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Liu, K. Kimura, R. Yanai, T.-i. Chikama, and T. Nishida Cytokine, Chemokine, and Adhesion Molecule Expression Mediated by MAPKs in Human Corneal Fibroblasts Exposed to Poly(I:C) Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., August 1, 2008; 49(8): 3336 - 3344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]