Differential expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) in normal and ulcerated corneas: role in epithelio-stromal interactions and matrix metalloproteinase induction.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was originally identified on the tumor cell surface as an inducer of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production in neighboring fibroblasts. Here we demonstrate a role for EMMPRIN in MMP induction during corneal wound healing. MMP and EMMPRIN expression was analyzed in normal and ulcerated human corneas, as well as in corneal epithelial and stromal cells in culture using confocal microscopy, zymography, immunoblots, and real-time polymerase chain reaction.