AIM:To study metalloproteinases(MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMP) expresion in cornea of mice with alkaline burns treated with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT),and to evaluate the effect of AMT in treatment of alkaline burns.METHODS:Forty Balb/c mice were divided into two groups (experimental group and control group) and their right eye corneas were burned with alkali(NaOH).The cornea was treated with AMT and secured with a tarsorrhaphy in experimental group,while the control group underwent tarsorrhaphy alone.At different time points(0,2,7,14 days) after AMT,mice were killed and the expressions of MMP and TIMP in cornea were measured by the Western blot technique,and the results were analyzed by enhanced chemiluminescent(ECL).RESULTS:In control group,MMP -2,8,9 expressed in the stromal cells and epithelial inflammatory cells.The level of MMP -2,8,9 elevated from the 2nd day,peaked on the 14th day.TIMP-1 expression was only slightly upregulated after alkaline burn at day 2,and expressed on the 7th day,peaked on the 14th day.TIMP-2 expression was increased at 2nd day,and significantly increased at 14th day.At the same time point,the level of MMP -2,8,9 in AMT group were greatly lower than that in control group(all P<0.01),while the level of TIMP-1,2 in AMT group were greatly higher than that in control group(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:AMT may inhibit MMP expression and promote TIMP expression in cornea,lower rapid resolution of corneal inflammation and ulceration,and play a vital role in corneal remodeling.