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Circulation level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 is correlated with disease severity in tuberculosis patients
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lódź, Poland. ehrabec@go2.pl
Setting:
Parenchymal lung destruction accompanied by active tuberculosis is, at least in part, caused by host as well as bacillus metalloproteinases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been shown to stimulate MMP-9 expression in the lung of infected organisms.
Design:
We have used quantitative zymography and computer-assisted image analysis to measure the levels of type IV collagenases in 20 serum samples of patients with active tuberculosis and in 23 serum samples of healthy volunteers.
Results:
Mean levels of the serum MMP-9 were over three-fold higher in tuberculous samples compared with normal serum (P < 0.0001), whereas the MMP-2 levels did not differ in these two groups. The levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher in subjects with advanced disease than in those with only limited disease changes (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
We suppose that the elevation of serum MMP-9 levels in patients with tuberculosis is affected by the augmentation of synthesis and/or secretion of this enzyme by inflammatory cells in response to M. tuberculosis infection. The observed association between the serum MMP-9 level and the extent of radiological change suggests that the quantification of the serum level of this enzyme may constitute a supplementary test in pulmonary tuberculosis diagnostics.
Insights
Active tuberculosis is linked to higher levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Measuring MMP-9 in serum may aid in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis and assessing disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Parenchymal lung destruction in active tuberculosis involves host and bacterial metalloproteinases.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in lung tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify serum levels of type IV collagenases, specifically MMP-9 and MMP-2, in patients with active tuberculosis compared to healthy controls.
- To investigate the correlation between MMP-9 levels and the extent of radiological changes in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative zymography was employed to measure enzyme levels.
- Computer-assisted image analysis was used for precise quantification.
- Serum samples from 20 active tuberculosis patients and 23 healthy volunteers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Mean serum MMP-9 levels were significantly higher (over threefold) in tuberculosis patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.0001).
- Serum MMP-2 levels showed no significant difference between the groups.
- MMP-9 levels were notably higher in patients with advanced disease compared to those with limited radiological changes (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum MMP-9 in tuberculosis patients is likely due to increased synthesis or secretion by inflammatory cells in response to M. tuberculosis.
- Serum MMP-9 quantification may serve as a supplementary diagnostic marker for pulmonary tuberculosis.
- The association between MMP-9 levels and radiological extent suggests its potential role in monitoring disease progression.