Gelatinases in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis.
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).


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
This study emphasizes the potential role of MMP2 in the specific inflammatory reaction and reparation process in TEN skin.
Paquet
P
P
Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Nusgens
B V
BV
Piérard
G E
GE
Lapière
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects; D001706:Biopsy; D001768:Blister / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000009:adverse effects; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000009:adverse effects; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D010894:Piroxicam; D009288:Naproxen; D010672:Phenytoin; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9