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Gelatinases in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis
P Paquet1, B V Nusgens, G E Piérard
1Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Background:
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP2 and MMP9 play a significant role in epidermal detachment, inflammation and re-epithelialization. We have evaluated their activity in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
Design:
The level and pattern of activity of MMP2 and MMP9 were investigated by measuring the degradation of 3H-labelled gelatin and by zymography in blister fluid from six TEN patients and compared the results with three other blistering conditions: bullous pemphigoid (n = 6), second-degree burn (n = 13) or suction blister (n = 3).
Results:
A higher amount of MMP2 was found in TEN blister fluid with the constant presence of a significantly larger proportion of the activated forms of MMP2, a particular feature of TEN, than the other blistering diseases studied.
Conclusion:
This study emphasizes the potential role of MMP2 in the specific inflammatory reaction and reparation process in TEN skin.