Figure 3.

Statins suppress TGF-β2-mediated MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in astrocytes from human ONH. Serum-starved astrocytes were incubated with or without statins, following TGF-β2 treatment. Activities of MMP in 20 µL of conditioned media from astrocyte cultures were determined by gelatin zymography. Clear bands on representative gelatin zymograms (n = 3) indicate gelatin degradation by MMP. Bands at 72 and 62 kDa correspond to pro-MMP-2 and active MMP-2, respectively, and those at 92 and 82 kDa correspond to pro-MMP-9 and active MMP-9, respectively. Activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were induced by TGF-β2. Prior incubation with statins inhibited TGF-β2-mediated activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Gel loading was confirmed by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining.