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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Detection of Functional Matrix Metalloproteinases by Zymography
Published on: November 8, 2010
Increased expression of serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in patients with moyamoya disease
Miki Fujimura1, Mika Watanabe, Ayumi Narisawa
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. fujimur@nsg.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Background:
Moyamoya disease is a chronic occlusive cerebrovascular disease with unknown etiology characterized by an abnormal vascular network at the base of the brain, which can manifest both as ischemic stroke and as cerebral hemorrhage. It was also reported that the patients with moyamoya disease are more vulnerable to cerebral hyperperfusion such as postoperative hemorrhagic complication after extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery despite its low flow revascularization. However, the underlying mechanisms of its pathologic angiogenesis and the occurrence of hemorrhage are undetermined. Excessive degradation of the vascular matrix by MMPs, proteolytic enzymes that degrade all the components of extracellular matrix, can lead to instability of the vascular structure and can thereby cause bleeding. The MMPs also play an important role in tissue remodeling including angiogenesis in both physiologic and pathologic condition.
Methods:
We examined the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 16 cases with definitive moyamoya disease by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared them with those from healthy controls.
Results:
The serum MMP-9 level was significantly higher in moyamoya disease (40.18 ng/mL) than in healthy controls (13.75 ng/mL, P = .0372). There was no difference in serum MMP-2 level between moyamoya disease (646.65 ng/mL) and healthy control (677.60 ng/mL). Immunohistochemistry on the surgical specimens showed significant increase in MMP-9 expression within the arachnoid membrane of moyamoya disease.
Conclusion:
The increased expression of MMP-9 may contribute to pathologic angiogenesis and/or to the instability of the vascular structure and could thereby cause hemorrhage in moyamoya disease.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is elevated in moyamoya disease, potentially contributing to abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding risks. This finding offers insights into moyamoya disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Moyamoya disease is a chronic cerebrovascular condition causing abnormal brain blood vessels.
- It increases risk for stroke and hemorrhage, with unclear mechanisms for abnormal angiogenesis and bleeding.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in vascular remodeling and matrix degradation, potentially contributing to bleeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in moyamoya disease.
- To determine if MMP levels differ between moyamoya disease patients and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured in 16 moyamoya disease patients and healthy controls using ELISA.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on surgical specimens to assess MMP-9 expression.
Main Results:
- Serum MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in moyamoya disease patients (40.18 ng/mL) compared to controls (13.75 ng/mL).
- No significant difference in serum MMP-2 levels was observed between groups.
- Increased MMP-9 expression was noted in the arachnoid membrane of moyamoya disease patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated MMP-9 expression in moyamoya disease may drive pathological angiogenesis.
- Increased MMP-9 could destabilize vascular structures, leading to hemorrhage.
- MMP-9 is a potential factor in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease-related vascular complications.
