The ageing of Bruch's membrane is associated with progressive reduction in the degradation of the capacity for ECM turnover mediated by the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system. In this study, the free and bound pools of all gelatinase species were quantified to aid in assessing the likelihood of reduced availability of pro-MMPs for activation in ageing Bruch's membrane. Bruch's membrane from macular locations (10 eyes; donor age range, 21-84 years) was mounted in Ussing chambers and eluted with phosphate-buffered saline to release the free pool of MMPs. Free and bound pools of MMPs were subjected to gelatin zymography, and individual gelatinase species were quantified by densitometric scans. The zymograms displayed six gelatinase species: four corresponding to the pro- and active forms of MMP-2 and -9 and two high-molecular-weight polymeric forms designated HMW1 and -2, corresponding to approximate molecular masses of 195 and 391 kDa, respectively. The ageing of Bruch's membrane was associated with an exponential increase in the percentage of pro-MMPs bound to the membrane (pro-MMP-2: %age bound = 0.54 exp(0.04 x age), r = 0.87, P < 0.01; and pro-MMP-9: %age bound = 5.0 exp(0.03 x age), r = 0.8, P < 0.01). A similar exponential increase was seen in the percentage of bound HMW1 species (%bound = 11.7 exp(0.018 x age; P < 0.05). The HMW2 species was virtually all bound to the membrane, but some release was observed in the very elderly. The ageing of Bruch's membrane was associated with progressive sequestration of MMPs reducing the free concentration and potential for activation. These changes may underlie the reduction in degradation that leads to the age-related increase in the thickness of the membrane.