Role of matrix metalloproteinases in failure to re-epithelialize after corneal injury.

Delayed re-epithelialization of the cornea after injury usually precedes stromal ulceration. Previous findings using a rat thermal injury model suggested that re-epithelialization is impeded by products of resident corneal cells, which destroy adhesive structures at the basement membrane zone. In this study, we provide additional evidence for this concept. Failure to re-epithelialize was found to correlate with an increase in the amounts of …