MMP9 and synovial sarcoma: To test these hypotheses regarding the ability of tear CTSS to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9, and the role of PAR-2 in this process, we utilized cultured human corneal epithelial cells treated with recombinant human CTSS at activity levels approximating those found in SS patient tears, and measured changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines, MMP-9 and CTSS itself utilizing qPCR and ELISA.