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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Long-term Intravital Immunofluorescence Imaging of Tissue Matrix Components with Epifluorescence and Two-photon Microscopy
Published on: April 22, 2014
Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in surgically induced necrotizing scleritis
Kyoung Yul Seo1, Hyung Keun Lee, Eung Kweon Kim
1Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei Institute of Vision Research, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis is primarily managed with immunosuppressive regimens. Such treatments can alter inflammatory cytokines and products such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which are an important proinflammatory cytokine and a tissue-degrading protease involved in necrosis of some ocular tissues.
Object:
To evaluate TNF-alpha and MMP-9 in the tear or sclera of surgically induced necrotizing scleritis.
Methods:
After tear collection from healthy and diseased eyes of 2 patients, immunoblot analysis using monoclonal antibody specific for human TNF-alpha and MMP-9 was performed. In another patient, scleral tissues were obtained during scleral allograft surgery, and the same immunoblot analysis was done.
Results:
The level of TNF-alpha and MMP-9 was increased in tear fluid from patients compared to that of control volunteers and returned to the control level after treatment. The diseased sclera showed an increased expression of MMP-9 compared to that of the normal donor sclera.
Conclusions:
TNF-alpha and MMP-9 may suggest disease activity of surgically induced necrotizing scleritis and can be altered by proper immunosuppressive treatment.