Expreion of matrix metalloproteinae-7 in choroidal neovacular membrane in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOE: Matrix metalloproteinae are a family of extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme aociated with neovacularization. We evaluated the expreion and localization of matrix metalloproteinae-7 in choroidal neovacular membrane in age-related macular degeneration. METHOD: Immunofluorecence and tranmiion electron microcopic examination were performed on ubfoveal neovacular membrane that had been urgically removed from even eye of even patient with age-related macular degeneration. REULT: Matrix metalloproteinae-7 wa expreed in all pecimen and ditinctly expreed in the thickened layer of Bruch membrane and baement membrane–like tructure around retinal pigment epithelial cell. CONCLUION: Matrix metalloproteinae-7 wa expreed in Bruch membrane of choroidal neovacular membrane in age-related macular degeneration. Matrix metalloproteinae-7 may be an important factor for the development of the ubmacular neovacular membrane in age-related macular degeneration.