Uveal melanocytes produce matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in vitro

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 by cultured human uveal melanocytes, and to test the effects of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate on the expression of these MMPs. Gelatin zymography of conditioned culture medium from four cultures of human uveal melanocytes (two cultures of iridal melanocytes and two cultures of choroidal melanocytes) detected MMP-2 (72 kDa) and a relatively small amount of MMP-9 (92 kDa), both in the latent form. RT-PCR analysis revealed the MMP-2 mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA in cultured uveal melanocytes. Addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (10 ng/ml) to the culture medium caused an increase of production of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by cultured uveal melanocytes, and also stimulated the transcription of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of these cells.