Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.24.3 (collagenase)
 18,340 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The trabecular meshwork, a specialized tissue in the anterior chamber of the eye, plays a major role in the regulation of aqueous humor outflow. We studied the effects of ascorbic acid, a significant component in the aqueous humor, on gene expression of type I collagen in cultures of bovine trabecular meshwork cells. These cells were plated for 6 days, exposed to ascorbic acid in concentrations of 100, 250 and 500 micrograms/ml for 3 days and labeled with (3H)proline for the last 24 hrs. Cultures that did not receive ascorbic acid served as controls. Bacterial collagenase assays showed enhanced incorporation of (3H)proline into collagenous proteins in cultures treated with 100 and 250 micrograms/ml of ascorbic acid. Gel electrophoresis and fluorography revealed that ascorbic acid caused a 2.6- to 4.9-fold increase in production of alpha 1 (I) and alpha 2(I) collagen chains by trabecular meshwork cells. Such an increase was found, using a cDNA probe specific for pro alpha 1(I) chains, to be accompanied by an increase in steady-state mRNA levels. Similar findings were also yielded from in situ hybridization experiments. These results, coupled with previously demonstrated ascorbate-induced effects on glycosaminoglycan, fibronectin and laminin synthesis, suggest that ascorbic acid is a key mediator of the extracellular matrix production by trabecular meshwork cells. Fluctuations in its concentration may lead to alterations in the makeup and assembly of matrices underlying the cells.
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PMID:Ascorbic acid modulates collagen type I gene expression by cells from an eye tissue--trabecular meshwork. 130 7

It has been suggested that the trabecular meshwork may be involved in the pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma, and some authors have pointed out that disorders of the extracellular matrix components may play a role; nevertheless, nothing is known about the normal metabolism of connective tissue molecules in this particular tissue. We recently initiated some studies in this field and have focused on the in vitro effects of aqueous humor on collagen metabolism. We report the finding of a latent collagenase of low molecular weight in aqueous humor obtained from cataractous patients; the enzyme was identified through several methods, including its in vitro activity against radiolabelled type I collagen and additionally with a zymogram technique. It was partially characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography.
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PMID:A latent collagenase in human aqueous humor. 253 47

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-responsive adenylate cyclase and VIP binding sites were investigated in membranes prepared from ciliary processes dissected from albino rabbit eyes. High-affinity binding sites for VIP (Kd, 0.95 nM; 607 fmol/mg of protein), in addition to beta adrenergic sites labeled by dihydroalprenolol (Kd, 0.48 nM; 123 fmol/mg of protein), were present. Activation of adenylate cyclase by VIP had a Ka of 65 nM, and the maximal response was 3.3-fold greater than that for I-isoproterenol (Ka, 102 nM). A peptide fragment of VIP (sequence 10-28) was inactive in all assays and did not inhibit VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase at 10 microM. Responses to VIP and isoproterenol in combination were additive at lower doses but less than additive at maximal doses. Responses to VIP in combination with a low dose of forskolin (0.1 microM) were potentiated at all dose levels, whether assays were done in presence of MgCl2 or MnCl2. VIP- and forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase was associated with the nonpigmented epithelial cell fraction and not with pigmented epithelial cells separated on Percoll density gradients after dissociation of cells from processes by collagenase digestion. Intravitreous injection of 10 nmol of VIP into the rabbit eye caused a maximal reduction in intraocular pressure at 40 to 50 hr lasting beyond 72 hr. VIP-responsive and beta adrenergic-responsive adenylate cyclase are present on the same cell type (nonpigmented epithelial cells) and appear to share components of the adenylate cyclase system in the same membrane. VIP may participate in the physiologic regulation of aqueous humor secretion at the level of the epithelial cell membrane.
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PMID:Vasoactive intestinal peptide and intraocular pressure: adenylate cyclase activation and binding sites for vasoactive intestinal peptide in membranes of ocular ciliary processes. 303 1

The inhibitory activity of a new peptidyl collagenase inhibitor, FN-439 or tetrapeptidyl hydroxamic acid (H2N-C6H4-CO-Gly-L-Pro-D-Leu-D-Ala-NHOH), was determined against vertebrate collagenases derived from human fibroblast, human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) and tadpole skin. In addition, the effect of FN-439 in inhibiting corneal ulceration was also investigated with alkali-burned rabbit corneas. FN-439 can block the active site of collagenase, and hydroxamic acid can chelate Zn2+ which is essential for collagenase activity. Furthermore, this compound contains D-amino acids to resist nonspecific host-derived degradative enzymes. In our experiments, corneal ulceration occurred in 5 of the 9 control eyes, but in none of the 9 eyes treated with FN-439 (P < 0.01). The only cellular elements observed at the ulcerated area were PMNs and monocytes. FN-439 appeared to act against PMN collagenase. In addition, we compared the change in the concentration of FN-439 (D-peptide) and the L-form of FN-439 (L-peptide) in aqueous humor aspirated from the rabbit eyes burned with alkali. After incubation for 3 hours, the concentration of the D-peptide was decreased by 3%, while that of the L-peptide was decreased by 60%. FN-439 may be useful for treating noninfectious corneal ulcers because of its potent activity (IC50 = 1 microM) and chemical and biological stabilities.
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PMID:Inhibition of corneal ulceration by tetrapeptidyl hydroxamic acid. 764 81

Matrix metalloproteinase activity is the rate-limiting step in extracellular matrix degradation. One mechanism by which metalloproteinases are regulated is through the activity of their endogenous inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Since metalloproteinase activity is a key component of the angiogenic process and many anterior segment structures are largely avascular, we became interested in examining aqueous humor for the presence of metalloproteinases and their endogenous inhibitors. Using zymography, we have identified the presence of several metalloproteinases in normal aqueous humor. Treatment with 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate, an organomercurial which activates latent metalloproteinases, revealed that all metalloproteinases were in their active state. By Western blot analysis, normal aqueous humor was also found to contain at least two tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Subsequent partial purification by two successive chromatographic steps revealed the presence of inhibitory activity against collagenase, endothelial cell DNA synthesis, and angiogenesis on the chick chorioallantoic membrane. The presence of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in normal aqueous humor, a fluid which bathes avascular ocular structures, suggests that future studies should examine whether an imbalance in this protease/inhibitor family may contribute to the anterior chamber extracellular matrix alterations associated with diseases such as ocular neovascularization and glaucoma.
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PMID:Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in aqueous humor. 875 16

Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness affecting at least 66 million people worldwide. Pigmentary glaucoma is one of the most common forms of secondary glaucoma, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses and plays an important role in inflammatory/autoimmunity diseases. Using the DBA/2J mouse as an animal model of human pigmentary glaucoma, we demonstrated for the first time that the expression of the IL-18 protein and gene in the iris/ciliary body and level of IL-18 protein in the aqueous humor of DBA/2J mice are dramatically increased with age. This increase precedes the onset of clinical evidence of pigmentary glaucoma, implying a pathogenic role of inflammation/immunity in this disease. We also observed that activated NF-kappaB and phosphorylated MAPK are increased in the iris/ciliary body of DBA/2J mice, suggesting that both signaling pathways may be involved in IL-18 mediated pathogenesis of pigmentary glaucoma in the eyes of DBA/2J mice. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression in the iris/ciliary body and the activity of MMP-2 in the aqueous humor are increased whereas tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression in the iris/ciliary body is decreased, indicating that the degradation process is involved in this mouse model of pigmentary glaucoma. Furthermore, the expressions of apoptosis-related genes, caspase-8, Fas, FADD, FAP, and FAF, and the activity of caspase-3 are increased in the iris/ciliary body of DBA/2J mice. Elucidation of biochemical and molecular mechanisms of IL-18 participation in the pathogenesis of pigmentary glaucoma should provide approaches for developing improved and targeted treatments to ameliorate this blinding disease. The possibility that altered IL-18 expression in the eye of DBA/2J mice initiates and/or amplifies the pathogenesis of pigmentary glaucoma requires further investigation.
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PMID:Involvement of inflammation, degradation, and apoptosis in a mouse model of glaucoma. 1598 30

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been implicated in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) by facilitating the remodeling of tissues involved in aqueous humor outflow. A contribution of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent PGs to this process was emphasized by a recent study showing an impaired COX-2 expression in the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. With the use of human NPE cells (ODM-2), the present study therefore investigated the effect of the antiglaucomatous drug latanoprost (PGF2alpha analog) on the expression of COX-2 and its association with the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In NPE cells, latanoprost led to a concentration- and time-dependent increase of COX-2 mRNA levels. Up-regulation of COX-2 expression was accompanied by phosphorylations of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p42/44 MAPK and was abrogated by specific inhibitors of both pathways. PGE2 formation by latanoprost was abolished by the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 and by the F-prostaglandin receptor antagonist AL-8810. Moreover, latanoprost led to a delayed up-regulation of MMP-1 mRNA, whereas the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 remained unchanged. Latanoprost-induced MMP-1 mRNA and protein expression was abolished by NS-398 and by COX-2-silencing small-interfering RNA. In line with this finding, MMP-1 expression was also induced by PGE2, a major COX-2 product. As a whole, our results show that MMP-1 expression by latanoprost requires prior up-regulation of COX-2. Induction of COX-2- and subsequent MMP-1 expression in the NPE may represent a potential mechanism underlying the IOP-lowering and antiglaucomatous action of latanoprost.
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PMID:Latanoprost induces matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells through a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent mechanism. 1607 63

Prostaglandins (PGs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) by facilitating aqueous humor outflow. A possible role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in this process was emphasized by findings showing an impaired COX-2 expression in the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Using human NPE cells, the present study therefore investigated the effect of the IOP-lowering cannabinoid R(+)-methanandamide [R(+)-MA] on the expression of COX-2 and different MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). R(+)-MA led to a concentration- and time-dependent increase of COX-2 mRNA expression. R(+)-MA-induced COX-2 expression was accompanied by time-dependent phosphorylations of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p42/44 MAPK and was abrogated by inhibitors of both pathways. Moreover, R(+)-MA increased the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 but not that of MMP-2 and TIMP-2. Inhibition of COX-2 activity with NS-398 [N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]-methanesulfonamide] was associated with a virtually complete suppression of R(+)-MA-induced MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression. Consistent with these data, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression was also induced by PGE2, a major COX-2 product. Two other COX-2-inducing cannabinoids, anandamide and Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, caused the same pattern of MMP and TIMP expression as R(+)-MA both in the absence and presence of NS-398. Altogether, cannabinoids induce the production of several outflow-facilitating mediators in the human NPE. Our results further imply an involvement of COX-2-dependent PGs in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression. In conclusion, stimulation of intraocular COX-2 and MMP expression may represent a potential mechanism contributing to the IOP-lowering action of different cannabinoids.
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PMID:R(+)-methanandamide and other cannabinoids induce the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases in human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells. 1633 Apr 97

Activation of A1 and A2A subtype adenosine receptors (AR) likely exert opposing effects on outflow of aqueous humor, and thereby, on intraocular pressure. Selective agonists of adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes have previously been applied to trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC) cells to identify the site(s) of differential purinergic modulation. However, the apparent changes in volume monitored by previously measuring projected cell area might have partially reflected cell contraction and relaxation. In addition, whole-cell current responses of the TM cells previously described were highly variable following application of selective A1, A2A and A3 agonists. The complexity of the electrophysiologic responses may have reflected cell heterogeneity of the populations harvested from collagenase digestion of TM explants. We now report measurements of TM-cell volume using calcein fluorescence quenching, an approach independent of contractile state. Furthermore, we have applied selective AR agonists to a uniform population of human TM cells, the hTM5 cell line. A1, but not A2A or A3, AR agonists triggered TM-cell shrinkage. Both A1 and A2A AR agonists produced reproducible increases in TM-cell whole-cell currents of similar magnitude. The results suggest that previous measurements of explant-derived TM cells may have reflected a range of responses from phenotypically different cell populations, and that the opposing effects of A1 and A2A agonists on outflow resistance are not likely to be mediated by actions on a single population of TM cells. These opposing effects might reflect AR responses by two or more subpopulations of TM cells, by TM and SC cells or by inner-wall SC cells, alone.
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PMID:Cell-specific differential modulation of human trabecular meshwork cells by selective adenosine receptor agonists. 1707 Aug 2