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Published on: February 15, 2019

MMP-7 knock-in corneal fibroblast cell lines secrete MMP-7 with proteolytic activity towards collagen XVIII

Shu-I Yeh1, Kyu-Yeon Han, Abdellah Sabri

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Current Eye Research
|August 28, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) overexpressed in mouse corneal fibroblasts shows proteolytic activity. This enzyme degrades the NC1 fragment of collagen XVIII, indicating its role in extracellular matrix remodeling.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is implicated in tissue remodeling.
  • The NC1 fragment of collagen XVIII is a key component of basement membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the proteolytic activity of stably overexpressed matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in mouse corneal fibroblasts.
  • To determine if MMP-7 can degrade the NC1 fragment of collagen XVIII.

Main Methods:

  • Corneal fibroblasts from MMP-7 knockout mice were immortalized and transfected to stably express MMP-7 (7ko-MMP-7 cells).
  • Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to isolate and enrich MMP-7 expressing cells.
  • Culture media from 7ko-MMP-7 cells and control cells were incubated with recombinant collagen XVIII NC1 fragment, and degradation was assessed via immunoblotting.

Main Results:

  • Active MMP-7 was detected in the lysates and media of 7ko-MMP-7 fibroblasts.
  • The NC1 fragment of collagen XVIII showed degradation when incubated with media from 7ko-MMP-7 cells compared to control media.
  • This indicates MMP-7 possesses proteolytic activity against the collagen XVIII NC1 fragment.

Conclusions:

  • Stably overexpressed MMP-7 in immortalized mouse corneal fibroblasts retains proteolytic activity.
  • Secreted MMP-7 effectively degrades the NC1 fragment of collagen XVIII.
  • These findings highlight MMP-7's potential role in extracellular matrix degradation in the cornea.

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