Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in mice with ocular toxocariasis

In ocular toxocariasis, Toxocara canis-induced inflammatory reaction can lead to eye destruction and granuloma, which is formed by immune cell infiltration and concurrent extensive remodeling tissue. Herein, the histomorphology of granuloma and proteinase production in the eye of T. canis-infected BALB/c mice were investigated. Pathological effects substantially increased after the infection culminated in a severe leukocyte infiltration and granuloma formation from days 4 to 56 post-inoculation. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities remarkably increased, compared with those of uninfected control, by gelatin zymography and Western blot analysis in ocular toxocariasis. Granuloma formation had a remarkably positive correlation with MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. We suggested that T. canis larvae and leukocytes infiltrated from blood vessel both migrated into corpus adiposum orbitae. Activated leukocytes secreted MMP-2 and MMP-9, leading to fibronectin degradation. The imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 may play a role in inflammatory cell infiltration and extracellular matrix degradation, forming granuloma, in ophthalmological pathogenesis of T. canis infection.