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Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:219-224 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.140186
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Effect of latanoprost and timolol on the histopathology of the human conjunctiva

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  1. N Terai1,
  2. U Schlötzer-Schrehardt2,
  3. J Lampel2,
  4. A G Böhm1,
  5. C Rummelt2,
  6. E Schmidt1,
  7. L E Pillunat1
  1. 1
    Department of Ophthalmology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Dresden, Germany
  2. 2
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
  1. Dr N Terai, Department of Ophthalmology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; naim.terai{at}uniklinikum-dresden.de
  • Accepted 5 October 2008
  • Published Online First 29 October 2008

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of timolol and latanoprost on the extracellular matrix organisation, inflammatory infiltration, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the human conjunctiva.

Methods: Conjunctival biopsies were obtained from the inferior fornix during routine cataract surgery from 20 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, who had received a monotherapy either with timolol or latanoprost, and from 10 non-glaucomatous patients. Specimens were investigated by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry using antibodies against MMP-1,-3, TIMP-2,-3 and CD 68 antibodies and by quantitative transmission electron microscopy.

Results: The number of collagen fibres was significantly decreased in latanoprost-treated conjunctival specimens compared with timolol-treated eyes (p<0.01) but showed no difference to controls. Amorphous material was increased in both treated groups compared with controls (p<0.001) but was less in latanoprost-treated specimens compared with timolol-treated eyes (p<0.001). Optically clear spaces, probably containing glycosaminoglycans, were significantly reduced in both treated groups—with less of a reduction in latanoprost—compared with timolol-treated eyes (p<0.001). A marked upregulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 and moderately increased staining for TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 was found in epithelial cells and subepithelial stromal cells of latanoprost-treated eyes. A moderate infiltration with macrophages and inflammatory cells was observed in timolol-treated eyes.

Conclusions: Latanoprost-treated conjunctival specimens showed a decreased stromal collagen density and a less pronounced inflammatory infiltration. The upregulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in latanoprost-treated eyes might explain the reduced extracellular matrix accumulation in the conjunctival stroma. Therefore, latanoprost therapy might have a more favourable effect on the outcome of glaucoma filtering surgery.

Footnotes

  • Funding: Pfizer Pharma GmbH, grant no Xala-0091-180.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: Ethics approval was provided by the Ethics Committee of Dresden.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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