Nonlethal Oxidant Injury to Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Causes Cell Membrane Blebbing but Decreased MMP-2 Activity

Abstract

Sustained or transient oxidant injury causes increased cell membrane blebbing but decreased activation of MMP-2. The findings lead to the hypothesis that blebs released in the absence of active MMP-2 may become trapped between the RPE and its basal lamina as sub-RPE deposits, possibly contributing to drusen formation in age-related macular degeneration. Also, the results lead to the postulation that oxidant injury disrupts the cell-specific surface proteases necessary to cleave and activate pro-MMP-2.