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MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitor in preterm human milk
Ronit Lubetzky1, Dror Mandel, Francis B Mimouni
1Department of Pediatrics, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Background And Aims:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of endopeptidases that play a key role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The natural inhibitors of MMPs are the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). It has been shown that several MMPs may be major factors in tissue destruction and remodeling in necrotizing enterocolitis. We designed the present prospective observational study to determine whether specific MMPs activity and expression of their inhibitors are similar in the milk fed to preterm and term infants.
Methods:
We compared specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and 1 MMP inhibitor (TIMP-1) activities or expression in human milk (HM) fed to 18 preterm infants and 13 full-term infants, obtained at 72 hours and 1 and 2 weeks postpartum.
Results:
MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were similar in both groups and did not vary over time. TIMP-1 was significantly higher in preterm HM. TIMP-1 expression increased significantly over time exclusively in the preterm group.
Conclusions:
There are differences in the expression of TIMP-1 between colostrum and mature milk in preterm HM and differences in the expression of TIMP-1 between preterm and term milk.
Insights
Human milk contains matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). TIMP-1 levels were higher and increased over time in preterm infant milk compared to term infant milk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal research
- Immunology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix.
- Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are natural MMP inhibitors.
- MMPs may contribute to tissue damage in necrotizing enterocolitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) expression in human milk (HM) for preterm and term infants.
- To investigate temporal changes in MMPs and TIMP-1 in HM from both groups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study.
- Compared MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in HM from 18 preterm and 13 term infants.
- Collected samples at 72 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks postpartum.
Main Results:
- MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were similar between preterm and term HM and did not change over time.
- TIMP-1 was significantly higher in preterm HM compared to term HM.
- TIMP-1 expression increased significantly over time in preterm HM only.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist in TIMP-1 expression between preterm and term infant milk.
- TIMP-1 expression in preterm HM changes from colostrum to mature milk.
