Overexpression of collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin (MMP-3) by pterygium head fibroblasts.

Abstract

Overexpression of MMP-1 and MMP-3, a phenotype previously linked with UV exposure in dermal fibroblasts to explain the pathologic finding of elastotic degeneration, suggests that pterygium head fibroblasts might be intrinsically altered by UV, which might be responsible for corneal invasion.