ISSN: 1300-0365
Dil: Türkçe
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The Role Of The Matrix Metalloproteinases And Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinases In Age-related Macular Degeneration
Dr. Turgut YILMAZ,a Dr. Mete GÜLERa
aGöz Hastalıkları AD, Fırat Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, ELAZIĞ
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries over the age of 60. The disease is generally divided in two types. The dry or non-exudative type of disease makes up about 85% of the cases and is characterized by drusen accumulation and/or retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) irregularities that include hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentary changes. Wet or exudative type is an advanced form of AMD that makes up about 15% of cases and is characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and/or serous RPE detachments. This form of the disease accounts for about 80-90% of the blindness observed in patients with AMD. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that exist in both secreted and membrane bound forms. The enzymes are initially expressed as inactive pro-enzymes becoming activated by proteolytic cleavage of their amino termini. The activity of MMPs is tightly regulated by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The balance between MMPs and TIMPs regulates the integrity of the extracellular matrix and thus plays a key role in several physiological processes (embryonic development, connective tissue remodeling, wound healing, and angiogenesis). The cause of AMD is still poorly understood, and available treatment options, although increasing, are still limited. Studies suggest that an imbalance of MMPs and their inhibitors may be involved in pathogenesis of AMD and selective MMP inhibition may be a novel way to treat patiens with CNV.Keywords: Matrix metalloproteinases; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; macular degenerationTurkiye Klinikleri J Ophthalmol 2007, 16:122-126
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