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Decreased MMP-9 activity in the serum of patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis

K Kikuchi1, M Kubo, T Hoashi

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. kikuchi-der@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|July 26, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity may indicate disease severity in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Lower MMP-9 levels were observed in diffuse cutaneous SSc, correlating with skin thickness.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) are implicated in inflammation and fibrosis.
  • Previous studies indicated elevated serum TIMP-1 in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure serum TIMP-1 and active MMP-9 levels in SSc patients.
  • To investigate the correlation between MMP-9 activity, TIMP-1 levels, and disease severity in SSc.

Main Methods:

  • Modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify serum TIMP-1 and active MMP-9.
  • Study included 62 SSc patients, 10 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 15 healthy controls.
  • Correlations were analyzed between MMP-9 activity, TIMP-1 levels, and modified-Rodnan total skin thickness score.

Main Results:

  • Serum active MMP-9 levels did not significantly differ between RA or SSc patients and controls.
  • MMP-9 activity was significantly decreased in diffuse cutaneous SSc compared to limited cutaneous SSc and controls.
  • A negative correlation was found between MMP-9 activity and skin thickness score in SSc patients.
  • No correlation was observed between serum MMP-9 activity and TIMP-1 levels in SSc patients.

Conclusions:

  • Serum MMP-9 activity may serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity, particularly skin severity, in SSc.
  • MMP-9 activity is reduced in diffuse cutaneous SSc, suggesting a role in fibrotic processes specific to this subtype.

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