title: Release and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 during in vitro mechanical compression in hypertrophic scars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) during mechanical compression of hypertrophic scars. Mechanical pressure blocks hypertrophy inducted on extracellular matrix in scars by a mechanism that involves MMP-2 (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B).
  
  
  METHODS
  We assayed conditioned media obtained from normotrophic and hypertrophic scars during 24 hours of in vitro mechanical compression using gelatin zymography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scars from various areas of the bodies of hospitalized patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained 3 normotrophic and 7 hypertrophic biopsy specimens from 10 patients (5 men and 5 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro compression at a pressure of 35 mm Hg/cm(2) for 24 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vitality of scars was analyzed by means of lactic dehydrogenase test; medium samples were collected for zymographic analysis of MMP activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found MMP-2 in basal (uncompressed) samples from normotrophic and hypertrophic scars. Mechanical compression induced MMP-9 release and activation (range, 86.7%-78.7%) in hypertrophic scars after 4 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Production, release, and activation of MMP-9 in hypertrophic scars could be an effector mechanism responsible for hypertrophy regression induced by mechanical compression.
authors.affiliation: Human Anatomy Laboratory, Medical Sciences Department, University of Eastern Piedmont A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Renò
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grazianetti
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magliacani
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pezzuto
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011312:Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9