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Downregulation of MMP-2 and -9 by Proteasome Inhibition: A Possible Mechanism to Decrease LEC Migration and Prevent Posterior Capsular Opacification

¹From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and ³Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.

PURPOSE. The proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) after cataract surgery leads to the development of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). The authors have shown that proteasome inhibition suppresses LEC proliferation and EMT. The present study investigates the prevention of LEC migration by proteasome inhibition through the suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity.

METHODS. HLE B-3 and primary human LEC migration assays were performed using polycarbonate membrane inserts and 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) as chemoattractant. Cultured cells were treated with 1 ng TGF-β₂, with or without MG132 (proteasome inhibitor) or GM 6001 (MMP inhibitor). Capsular bags with intraocular lenses (IOLs) were prepared from human donor eyes and cultured in serum-free DMEM. The capsular bags were then treated with 1 or 10 ng/mL TGF-β₂, with or without MG132 (2.5 or 10 µM, respectively). The medium was sampled and replaced every 2 days and analyzed for MMP-2 and -9 activities by SDS-PAGE zymography. Protein and RNA expression were analyzed by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS. Proteasome inhibition blocks LEC migration in HLE B-3 and primary human LECs. To further evaluate the mechanism of decrease in LEC migration by proteasome inhibition, the authors measured MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression and MMP-2 and -9 activities. In HLE B-3 cells, TGF-β₂ increased MMP-2 mRNA and protein levels; these increases were inhibited by MG132 cotreatment. Medium from HLE B-3 cultures showed MMP-2 and -9 activities, which were induced by TGF-β₂ treatment and inhibited by MG132 co-treatment. TGF-β₂ treatment also increased MMP-2 and -9 activities in IOL capsular bag cultures; these were progressively decreased by proteasome inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS. Proteasome inhibition decreases LEC migration. This inhibition is correlated with decreased MMP-2 and -9 activities, observed both with and without TGF-β₂ treatment. These findings support proteasome inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to prevent PCO.