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Sera and salivary matrix metalloproteinases are elevated in patients with vesiculoerosive disease: a pilot study
Yasmin H Mair1, Tania Jhamb2, Michelle B Visser3
1Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Background:
Oral vesiculoerosive (VE) diseases, such as lichen planus and mucous membrane pemphigoid, are immune-mediated pathoses. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in oral lesional biopsy specimens of patients with VE disease. However, the systemic levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in this patient population are poorly understood. We performed a pilot study to determine whether the levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in the sera and saliva of patients with VE disease.
Study Design:
We recruited patients with VE disease (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 19). We collected sera and saliva and performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure MMP levels. We used gelatin zymography and Biotrak assays to determine enzyme activity. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results:
There was no difference in the activity of either MMP in the sera or saliva of patients with VE disease compared with controls. Significantly, MMP-2 levels were elevated in the sera of patients with VE disease (P < .0001), whereas MMP-9 was elevated in their saliva (P = .003).
Conclusions:
MMP-2 is elevated in the sera of patients with VE disease, and MMP-9 is increased in their saliva. Therefore, these enzymes may be potential markers of disease or therapeutic targets.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 levels were investigated in oral vesiculoerosive (VE) diseases. MMP-2 was elevated in serum, and MMP-9 was elevated in saliva of VE disease patients, suggesting potential disease markers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Oral vesiculoerosive (VE) diseases are immune-mediated conditions.
- Elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are observed in oral lesions.
- Systemic levels and activity of MMPs in VE disease are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if serum and salivary levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in patients with oral VE disease.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving 10 patients with VE disease and 19 healthy controls.
- Serum and saliva samples collected for analysis.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, gelatin zymography, and Biotrak assays used to measure MMP levels and activity.
- Mann-Whitney test for data analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in MMP activity in serum or saliva between patients and controls.
- MMP-2 levels were significantly elevated in the serum of VE disease patients (P < .0001).
- MMP-9 levels were significantly elevated in the saliva of VE disease patients (P = .003).
Conclusions:
- MMP-2 is elevated in serum, and MMP-9 is increased in saliva of patients with oral VE disease.
- These MMPs may serve as potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis.
- MMP-2 and MMP-9 could be considered as therapeutic targets for VE diseases.
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