Proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE. The migration, proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion of cells and other cellular functions are influenced by the surrounding extracellular matrix, in normal and wound-healing conditions. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes that degrade and remodel the extracellular matrix and, thus, play a central role in the wound-healing process. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy GVR), a wound-healing process in the retina, is a major cause of the failure of retinal detachment surgery. The role of MMPs in the pathobiology of PVR is unknown. We have investigated the presence of MMPs in the vitreous of patients with retinal detachment and the predictive value of MMPs for the future development of PVR.