title: Gelatinases in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paquet
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Nusgens
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lapière
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D010894:Piroxicam; D009288:Naproxen; D010672:Phenytoin; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9