Fig 2: Detection and quantification of MMP-9 enzyme inflammation biomarker in human tear samples using AbMAs. First, the selected antibodies were immobilized onto glass slides that were incubated with the sample. Then, MMP-9 was captured by the mentioned antibody and detected with a labeled antibody cocktail. Finally, the intensity of the signal was quantified and the data acquired, allowing the analysis of the MMP-9 biomarker in the samples.

Fig 3: Tear MMP-9 concentration differences in the groups of patients suffering ocular inflammation versus the group of healthy controls. Cliff’s delta values are displayed for each comparison. (A) Differences between healthy controls and MGD, DE, and allergy patients (other pathologies group). (B) Differences between healthy controls and cataracts patients. (C) Differences between healthy controls and glaucoma patients.

Fig 4: Confusion matrix of tear MMP-9 analysis over the different samples. True positive (TP), false positive (FP), false negative (FN), and true negative (TN) rates are detailed. Sensitivity is calculated as TP/(TP + FN), specificity as TN/(TN + FP), and accuracy as (TP + TN)/(TP + FP + FN + TN).

Fig 5: ng/mL of MMP-9 in ocular inflammation patient tear samples quantified using AbMA. A gray line is plotted at 30 ng/mL of MMP-9 enzyme in tear, the threshold value at which higher concentrations are considered a sign of ocular inflammation.